Don Miller Subaru East is your place for winter car prep, maintenance, and repairs -- although hopefully we have help you avoid the latter. Madison, WI winters are definitely something you need to prepare for, so we've compiled a list of winter service and driving tips to help avoid catastrophes.
- Just as summer heat can push your car's battery to the limit, so can winter's chill. Be sure to have your battery tested if it's been a while since it's been replaced or if you notice hard starts happening too often.
- Squishy brakes? Long stopping distances? Have the brake system inspected by one of our certified Subaru technicians.
- Replace worn tires to ensure you have enough tread for good traction. Ideally, choose snow tires for winter travel.
- Flush the cooling system.
- Inspect the heater and defroster so you always have good visibility when you need it most.
- Replace worn wiper blades, preferably with rubber-clad blades to better combat ice.
- Carry an emergency kit for not only your car but for your passengers as well. Sure, flares, spare tires, and defroster are important, but so are blankets, extra batteries, and food.
- Have a professional tech correct performance issues -- such as rough idling and hard starts -- before a winter freeze exasperates a problem.
- Don't forget to change the oil and filter just like you do in the summer. Old oil will hurt your vehicle's engine in winter just like it does in summer.
- First and foremost, read the owner's manual for recommended service schedules, as this varies by make, model, year, powertrain, etc.
Our certified Subaru service center and genuine Subaru parts and fluids can make it easy to check these 10 points off of your to-do list. We can do everything from fill fluids to service the transmission. Just schedule service from the comfort of your electronic device. And check out the video below from car-care expert Lauren Fix for more insight into cold-weather maintenance.
