Classic Kia’s Service Tips to Prep for Winter Weather

Nov 18, 2022

We’re back with some more helpful service tips for winter weather driving! It’s essential to prepare for wintry conditions and hazards of inclement weather. Our handy guide is chock full of reminders and pointers to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape for chilly temps and then some.

Make sure you have a winter emergency kit stocked up and ready to go. In a bin, box, or duffel bag we recommend keeping the following on hand in your trunk or backseat: thermal blankets and fleece blankets, a clean set of warm clothes, extra winter hats & gloves, kitty litter and/or small container of rock salt, a small portable or foldable snow shovel, flares, hand-crank LED flashlight or LED lantern, hand warmer packets, jumper cables, a fully stocked first aid kit, an ice scraper and snow brush, and a tow rope. These can all help you should your vehicle become stuck in any ice or encounter any other inclement weather related accident.
Check your front and rear brakes, emergency brake, and brake light system. Do not skimp on this checkpoint. A good solid set of brakes and quality rotors can be the difference between a safe stop and total decimation of your vehicle and serious injuries. It is important to make sure that your braking system and brake light are in perfect working order before you’re faced with a split second decision to swerve, stop short, or avoid dangerous snowbanks or black ice. If you hear any sort of scraping, whining, or squealing when you brake, bring your car in for a service call straight away.

Check your tires. Check your tire pressure and make sure the PSI matches the manufacturer requirements (can be located in your manual or on a label on the side door pockets or frame.) Look for signs of wear and tear such as bulges and bubbles, cracks or small tears, or significant tread wear leaving bald spots. Consider rotating your tires if you’ve not done it in awhile. Any damaged tires should be replaced, and any summer tires swapped out for all-weather or winter tires should be considered if you live in an area that gets particularly rough winter weather!

Inspect your wiper blades and ensure they are clean and not showing significant signs of wear. As the weather gets colder, it’s vital to your safety that you have properly working wiper blades to clear away frost and snow or other inclement weather. Before it gets too cold out, consider applying a thorough application of a water-repellant such as RainX to the glass surfaces on your vehicle to aid in visibility during storms.
Check your heater and blower. It’s important to check the defroster and heat blower functionality, as these two elements must be functioning properly to ensure wiper efficiency and clear visibility. When cars are iced or frosty, gradually warming the window to loosen the ice before scraping can save you from windshield damage and scratches. Additionally, it can save you time by melting the frost and ice as well as bringing your car to a comfortable temperature for driving. If you become stranded or broken down for an extended period of time, the heat can also keep you safe and comfortable.

Check your car battery. Colder months mean we’re more apt to leave our car running to “warm it up” so we don’t face a frosty morning commute, but this also means a higher potential for draining the battery through accidental means. Cold weather can put additional stress on your battery, and can cause it to lose around 20-30% of its charge when the weather hits 32 degrees. If a vehicle is going into or coming out of storage, the battery should definitely be checked and replaced as they do lose charge while sitting.

Clean your headlights and replace any dim or broken bulbs. There is nothing more frightening than encountering a white-out storm or horizontal icy rains and not benign able to see more than 2 feet ahead of you. Having bright, clear headlights is going to make all the difference in getting where you’re going safely and in one piece. Be sure to apply a headlight cleaner and swap out your bulbs for bright clear ones if yours are not up to par.

If you’ve got any questions about vehicle maintenance or wish to schedule a service appointment, please reach out to our representatives. We would be happy to get your vehicle winter-weather ready!