Tips for Caring for Your Honda This Winter

Forget “winter is coming,” winter is already here in St. Louis! We’re well into the holiday season, which means you’re hopefully done buying gifts, and at the “returns” stage of the season. Now that some of that holiday stress has come & gone, you can begin to think about other tasks to check off your list. One very important task may be to get your vehicle checked out right here at the Mungenast St. Louis Honda Service Center! For the sake of your vehicle, as well as your safety, it’s crucial to prepare your vehicle for the winter months. Plus, scheduling a maintenance appointment for your vehicle can end up saving you time & money in the long run. Check out a few of our tips to better prepare you & your vehicle for winter!

• Check the Battery

Actually have somewhere to go but can’t get your car to start? Don’t get stuck in this scenario! Cold temperatures can cause your battery to have problems, especially if it hasn’t been replaced in a while. If your vehicle has a hard time starting, the battery looks corroded, the dashboard battery is lit up, or if the battery casing is swollen, it’s time to get a battery inspection. Our expert technicians will make sure to do a battery volt test to make sure it is in good working condition. If it turns out not to be, we’ll get your battery replaced in little to no time!

• Get Your Brakes Inspected

With icy road conditions during the winter months, it’s no secret that getting your brakes inspected is one of the most important ways to prepare your vehicle for winter. Brakes may wear more quickly during these months from heavy brake use while driving on snowy or icy roads. Schedule a maintenance appointment if your brake pedal vibrates and is hard to push, you hear a grinding or screeching noise when you push the brakes, or metallic flakes are shedding from the brakes. However, even if your brakes seem to be working fine, it’s important to get them regularly inspected by expert technicians to ensure there are no problems. As you probably already know, with icy roads comes SALT, and lots of it. Make sure to wash your car regularly to rid your brakes (and the rest of the vehicle) of any road salt that tends to stick. Over time, salt can cause premature rusting in vehicles.

• Check And/Or Replace Your Tires

It’s also no secret that icy or snowy roads can make it very difficult for tires to get traction. Make sure to get an expert technician to inspect your tires before driving much this winter. Updated tires can make a huge difference when it comes to trying to brake in inclement weather.

– Check Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is key when it comes to facing icy roads. Since lower temperatures cause tires to lose pressure more quickly, it’s important to keep up with checking your tire’s PSI often. Most vehicles will notify you when your tire pressure is getting low, but if that’s not the case, it’s your job to keep up with it. You can find the recommended tire pressure PSI in the owner’s manual, or in some vehicles, there’s a sticker on the inside of the driver’s door.

– Winter Tires

Winter tires can be a great alternative to your vehicle’s normal tires during the winter months. They are made with biting edges, so there’s a better grip in deep snow. Plus, being made with a soft rubber compound allows the tires to maintain grip even in temperatures of 45 degrees and under. There are also symmetrical treads & wider tread patterns which provide more versatile rotation & cut through snow and ice.

Along with checking your battery, brakes, and tires, a basic car maintenance appointment at the Mungenast St. Louis Honda Service Center will check for so much more! Our expert technicians will also check:

• Air Filter
• Oil Filter/Levels
• Battery System, Battery Cables and Terminals
• Brake, Transmission and Power Steering Fluids
• Coolant Levels
• Drive Blades
• Engine Hoses
• Washer Fluid
• Wiper Blades

Although the main components to keep in mind are the battery, brakes, oil change, tires and wiper blades, our technicians can also check anything else upon your request. Making sure that your vehicle is in tip-top shape for winter not only ensures your vehicle lasts, but it ensures your safety as well. Schedule an appointment at the Mungenast St. Louis Honda Service Center before it’s too late!