A winter tune-up checklist for Connecticut drivers
Cold starts, salt, and short trips punish a car from November to March. Here is what to check before the cold sets in.
Connecticut winters are hard on cars. Salt eats exposed metal, cold thickens oil, and a battery that started fine in October can leave you stranded in January.
Test the battery. Most auto parts stores and repair shops will load-test it free. Anything under 12.4 volts resting or past four years old is a candidate for replacement before the first cold snap.
Check the coolant strength. The mix should protect to around -25°F for Fairfield County. Old coolant that has lost its rust inhibitors also kills heaters from the inside out.
Replace wiper blades and top off washer fluid with a winter blend. The summer stuff freezes in the reservoir and cracks the pump.
Inspect brakes and tires. All-seasons need at least 4/32 of tread to bite on snow. If you run summer tires, swap them off before the first frost — they turn to plastic below 40°F.
Run a tune-up if the car is past due on plugs, air filter, or ignition coils. A misfire in January is a no-start in February.
Check all lights. Short days mean you drive in the dark both ways. A burned-out taillight is a reason to get pulled over on the Post Road.
Keep a real winter kit in the trunk: jumper cables, a blanket, an ice scraper that actually clears glass, and a bag of kitty litter for traction.
Questions about your car?
Call the shop on Greenwich Ave. We answer, give you a straight quote, and tell you when we can fit you in.