Cold, Hard Facts: Five Things You Need to Know About Basic Winter Car Care | Conicelli Autoplex

Jan. 25, 2013 - PRLog -- Cold temperatures, ice, snow and salt all contribute to added wear and tear on your car. But modern cars can deal with it as long as they are properly maintained. Here are some of the most important things to remember whether you're preparing for a winter trip to the Poconos or just going tailgating at an Eagles game.

Check tire pressure and tread wear. In cooler temperatures, the air in your tires shrinks and that means lower pressure. Make sure tire pressure is maintained at what the manufacturer specifies, which is typically on a printed label near the driver's door. Also make sure you have enough tread for rough weather. Insert a penny into the tread grooves and if part of Lincoln's head is covered by the tread, you have enough tread to be legal. If the weather is really rough, though, consider that the bare minimum might not really be safe.

Check your battery, belts and hoses. Your battery probably faces the most severe challenge of any part of the car. Remember that as temperatures go lower, the battery's job gets tremendously harder. When you visit your dealer or mechanic for your occasional repairs you should be sure to have them check your battery's condition, too. And at the same time it makes sense to check the hoses and belts under the hood, too.

Check coolant. Of course, you check your coolant level periodically, right? Well, that's not quite enough. You need to have your mechanic check the coolant quality as well. Using a simple tool the mechanic can tell you precisely what temperatures your coolant will be effective in.

Wash your car. Some people think, incorrectly, that washing your car in the winter is harder on the paint. In fact, it's very important to remove salt, dirt and snow to avoid helping corrosion to get a start. A dirty car will begin to rust faster than a clean car, period. The best way to fight corrosion is to keep the car clean -- top and bottom. Because of road salt accumulating in severe weather, make sure that you rinse the underside of the car, especially the wheel wells.

Each of the Conicelli dealerships (http://www.conicelliautoplex.com) in Conshohocken and Springfield has service departments with the expertise to keep your car, no matter the make, in top condition. You can count on Conicelli Service Departments for oil changes, batteries, tires, and any other winter-maintenance issue that concern you.

Get easy directions to the Conicelli Autoplex Service Departments (http://www.conicelliautoplex.com/locations/service.htm). Give us a call at 1-888-Conicelli to set up an easy appointment for winter service today.

Conicelli Autoplex is a family-owned new- and used-car dealership group headquartered in Conshohocken, PA, with dealerships in Conshohocken and Springfield, PA selling new and used Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota, and Scion vehicles.