Even though it’s still fall in Portland Oregon, the reality is that winter is coming, and with winter weather in Portland, some of the things that we can expect on the roads are snow, ice, slush and generally bad driving conditions.
Sadly, many drivers will be unprepared for driving during winter months in Portland because they will have neglected proper vehicle maintenance for most of the year or they will have ignored the fact that the weather is changing and they will not be ready for it.
The good news is that if you’re concerned about driving the winter in Portland Oregon this article will provide you with step you can use to get your car ready for winter.
Step 1 – Get an Oil Change
One of the first things that you should do before driving during the winter in Portland Oregon is to get an oil change.
This is important because oil will thicken as it gets colder and if it’s too thick, the oil will not do its job at keeping your instant lubricated, so for best results get your oil changed now to guarantee that it’s running properly when we start to have freezing temperatures.
Step 2 – Change Your Windshield Wipers
This tip is imperative to follow because without proper windshield wipers on your vehicle you will not be able to clearly see other vehicles on the road. Thankfully, you can easily purchase new windshield wipers at your local Walmart, or auto parts store, for under $20 and you can change the windshield wipers on your vehicle yourself.
Step 3 – Check Your Battery’s Charge
The next important thing to do in order to get your vehicle ready for winter driving conditions is to have your battery’s charge tested. This is important because cold weather will take its toll on any vehicle battery but the good news is that you can easily have your battery tested for free at most auto parts stores in the local area.
Step 4 – Examine Your Hoses and Belts
After having your battery tested and or examined, the next thing that you should do is to inspect all of your vehicle’s belts and hoses.
This is important to do because cold weather usually wears down belts and hoses during the winter months so before cold weather hits, you should inspect your belts and hoses just to make sure that they are in proper condition.
Step 5 – Check Tire Pressure
After getting an oil change, having your battery tested, inspecting your belts and hoses and replacing your windshield wipers, the next thing that you should do is check the tire pressure in all of your tires.
Maintaining proper tire pressure is vital, especially during the winter months because, this will help to keep you from getting into a car accident due to low tire pressure and it will also help to ensure that your vehicle gets proper gas mileage during the winter as well.
Not Sure If You Can Follow These Steps Yourself? No Problem!
Although the steps in this article are fairly easy to follow, for most drivers who are mechanically inclined, you may not have the desire or the time to maintain your vehicle yourself.
Thankfully most oil change shops in Oregon will do everything for you so that you can easily drive your vehicle into a shop like Oil Can Henry’s and have the wipers, tires, battery and hoses checked before you get back on the road. This will save you time money and hassle of having to complete all these maintenance tasks yourself.
Is Your Car Dead? Sell It to Fred
Are you driving around in older model of vehicle that’s costing you more money than what it’s worth every single month? If your vehicle is dead, so it to Fred.
To learn more about selling your vehicle give us a call at (503) 810-3061 or click here to connect with us online.
