The Importance of Winter Maintenance

As the cold winds of winter make their way to North Salt Lake, traveling comes with added risk on the roads. Whether you plan on driving south to find a warmer winter or you just need to run errands around Salt Lake City, preventative winter maintenance on your vehicle will keep you and your vehicle safe throughout the season. Learn more about preventative Toyota maintenance with Performance Toyota Bountiful’s service department so you can drive with confidence the whole winter long.

Prioritize Your Safety

When preparing for inclement weather, there are a few key areas of your car, SUV, or truck to check before the roads get bad. Keep an eye on these components of your vehicle throughout the winter to keep yourself on the road, no matter what the season throws at you:

• Tire Pressure: Fluctuating temperatures can affect your tire pressure. Check your tire’s recommended inflation level and perform regular pressure checks on all four tires to ensure they stay at that level. Proper tire pressure increases your traction on the roads, which you’ll need once bad weather hits.

• Tire Tread: Tire tread is imperative to maintaining traction on wet or snowy roads. Keep an eye on your tire tread and watch for uneven or balding spots. If you think your tire tread is too low, you can get replacements at our Toyota Tire Center.

• Brakes: Any time you come in for service during the winter, ask for a quick brake inspection. Wet roads can cause rust build-up, which can cause your brakes to underperform. Underperforming brakes are the last things you want to experience on subpar roads. 

Protect Yourself From the Elements

While protecting your vehicle from accidents is important, you’ll also have another adversary this winter: the elements. Your vehicle has several mechanisms that are important to keeping you and your vehicle running, even in the worst weather. Have these systems inspected before driving this season:

• Battery: Intense cold can both drain your battery and force the battery to work harder to start your car. Before the temperatures drop, have your battery and battery terminal checked to see if anything needs replacing or cleaning to keep your car running in the winter.

• Oil: Cold weather causes the oil in your engine to thicken. Keep your engine running smoothly through the winter by having a routine oil change at Performance Toyota Bountiful. 

• Lights: One of the most important parts of driving your vehicle is your ability to see, which makes testing your headlights, tail lights, and high beams important before inclement weather hits. For even more protection, keep a set of backup bulbs handy. If you need to find the right Toyota bulbs, you can find them easily at our parts center.

• Fluid Levels: Before bad weather hits Woods Cross, check all the fluids in your vehicle and top off any that are low. This could include fluids like coolant, wiper fluids, or antifreeze.

Keep Comfortable in the Cold Months

Dropping temperatures aren’t only a safety issue — they can also be uncomfortable! Keep cozy even in the coldest months by having your heating system checked before the temperature dips too low. If at any point during the winter you find your heating system malfunctioning, feel free to schedule an appointment with our Bountiful service department. 

Another way to give yourself peace of mind as you drive this season is to prepare a winter car emergency kit. This kit can include things like jumper cables, tow straps, a portable phone charger, blankets, hats, gloves, a first aid kit, stable food, and water. These items will keep you safe even if the weather leaves you stranded. 

Schedule Your Winter Maintenance at Performance Toyota Bountiful!

Don’t let the Bountiful winter catch you by surprise. Visit Performance Toyota Bountiful’s service department to have your Toyota checked before the worst of the winter season so that you can drive with confidence, no matter where the road takes you. Contact us online or give us a call to get your winter maintenance started.