Jack Williams

Winterize Your Car – Part 2 of 3

Replace Windshield Wipers and Wiper Fluid
It has happened to most of us. A surprise snow shower or freezing rain hits your windshield. You put on your wipers and because of poor blades your windshield is smeared with ice - you cannot see out the window. Not a pretty picture.
Make sure that you have good quality wipers for the winter season. Old, dirty wipers will quickly shred as they flop back and forth across your windshield. Generally you should replace your wipers at least once per year. Keep your windshield cleared of any debris or droppings. It is also a good idea to check and top off your wiper fluid.

Keep a Full Fuel Tank

It is not a good idea to let your gas tank get low on fuel. You certainly do not want to run the risk of running out of gas while on the road. Even if you run out of gas within a short walk of a gas station, walking in very cold weather or in snow can be quite dangerous, even deadly.
Also, running with low fuel can cause car problems. Cold and unstable weather can cause condensation in the gas tank itself. If this happens the water can condense and drip into the gas. When this happens the water, being heavier than gas, will go to the bottom of the tank and then into the fuel line. If this water freezes it will clog your fuel line and effectively stop (and damage) your car.

Check Your Heater Unit
Obviously you want your heating unit to be in top working condition. In order to drive comfortably in the winter you need a working heater. But it goes further than that. Cold air entering your car can fog up your windshield. Your own breath can fog it up also. Therefore, make sure that your defrosting is also working well. If unsure have your mechanic check the unit. While doing that check you can also check the care for other air leaks around the doors and windows. If you suspect that your unit is not in good working order, you may need to replace your heater coil. If this is the case replace it as soon as possible to ensure comfortable and safe winter driving.

Jack Williams Tire and Auto Service Centers specialize in all of your vehicle's service needs. Whether your vehicle needs factory scheduled maintenance, state inspections or mission inspections, Jack Williams' ASE certified professionals know just how to help you. Visit any of our 29 locations to meet with Jack Williams' team of experts for alignments, brakes, shocks, struts, exhausts, batteries, fluid services, oil changes, filters, belts, hoses, diagnostics and more! Jack Williams Tire is proud to employ ASE certified technicians.