Winter Driving Preparation for Your Subaru

The late autumn days aren't just the last opportunity to enjoy time outside in North Attleboro, MA before winter sets in; they're also the perfect time to prepare your Subaru for winter driving challenges. Replacing wiper blades, adding window washing fluid, checking tire pressure, and stocking your vehicle with emergency supplies like a warm blanket and flashlight are just the beginning of what you can do to get ready for winter. Whether the forecast in North Attleboro, MA calls for cold temperatures or a full-blown winter storm, you'll be prepared with just a few small tasks and some help from your technician at Patriot Subaru.

What kind of tires are best for winter driving?

Most drivers can get through the challenges of winter driving in Taunton, MA with a good set of all-season tires. If your daily route sticks to streets cleared of snow or slush, the tread on all-season tires is probably sufficient. It's hard to plan for every eventuality, so you can have a set of dedicated winter tires installed for added confidence, so you're assured of having superior grip no matter what the roads look like. Winter tires aren't just designed to cut through the snow while still providing traction; they also have a different chemical composition, so cold temperatures don't render them stiff and unable to conform to the road. Your technician will provide you with some good advice on whether winter tires are right for you.

Driving with summer tires in the winter can leave you vulnerable to slipping and sliding needlessly, becoming a hazard to yourself and surrounding drivers, so you'll want to switch those out for a better tread if you have them on your vehicle currently.

How do I prepare my engine for winter?

A thorough inspection of your engine will give your technician a good idea of what it will need to get through the winter without breaking down. Gaskets, hoses, and belts can weaken over time, and with freezing temperatures adding a strain, it could push them over the edge and cause them to snap. Your technician will also look at fluid levels, especially for your antifreeze. They'll also give your heater a quick test to make sure it's working.

You probably won't require a lighter weight oil, as newer cars can manage with their same viscosity in most temperature fluctuations, but if you do want to switch out your oil for a winter weight blend, it's something you can discuss with your technician. If you're due for an oil change, it's the perfect time to have that done.

My battery is getting older; will it last the winter?

If your battery has a couple of winters in Providence, RI under its belt already, it may struggle to hold a charge or produce enough power to meet the demand of a cold start-up on a winter morning. Cold temperatures play havoc with the chemical processes that power your battery, slowing its response and undercutting its ability to maintain a charge. Under normal conditions, an aging battery may not yet have indicated that it's nearing the end of its lifespan, but when it's pushed to its limit with the cold temperatures, it could fail without warning.

Free battery testing

Your technician at Patriot Subaru can check your battery's strength as part of your winter car preparation. If you need a new battery, it's just a quick installation, and you'll be ready for whatever temperatures Cranston, RI and Foxborough, MA has in store for winter.

What about my brakes?

If your brake pads are getting low, your winter vehicle preparation should include a replacement now so you won't have to deal with it when the weather worsens in Norwood, MA and Pawtucket, RI.

  1. Patriot Subaru of North Attleboro

    551 S Washington St
    North Attleboro, MA 02760

    • Sales: 774-220-0041
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