Winter Readiness: Preparing Your Toyota for the Cold

Are you ready for winter? It comes on us a lot faster than we’re ready for sometimes, but Toyota winter maintenance can give you confidence that you’re ready, whatever the weather might bring.

1. Check and Change the Oil

Your dealer can tell you whether the oil you have is right and get you a fresh batch. Synthetic oil will flow much better at low temperatures and doesn’t need a lot of time to warm up. This means your engine is protected quickly, without you having to waste gas for five minutes letting things come to temperature. We’ll also make sure that your oil is exactly the right specs.

2. Check the Tires

By law, tires in PA need a minimum of two adjacent treads with at least 2/32 of an inch of tread remaining (if your vehicle weighs more than 10,000 pounds, you need twice that much). But what any good mechanic will tell you is that 3/32 of an inch of tread is required if you really want to be safe in cold, wet conditions.

This is also the time to consider snow tires. Pennsylvania allows studded snow tires from Nov 1 to April 15th, and you can use non-studded snow tires at any time. Both types of tires use a type of rubber that provides superior performance and grip in the cold.

3. Check the Battery

The batteries in our cars go through a lot during the summer, and that means when the first deep snow shows up, they can be severely compromised. We’ll assess the battery and replace it if it’s weak.

4. Check Wipers and Lights

You need to be able to see very well on the road, not only with darkness coming on earlier during the winter but also with the possibility of winter weather. Now is the time to have us install new wipers if they are needed and check all your bulbs to be sure you’re going to be able to see clearly on the road ahead.

5. Ensure the Antifreeze Is Right

Your antifreeze is also your coolant, and it’s one of the most important chemicals in your car. It stops things from overheating in the summer, and in the winter, it prevents water from freezing, expanding, and destroying your engine. We’ll test the strength of your antifreeze to make sure it can handle Pennsylvania winters and that you have a full tank.

These are just some of the crucial maintenance tasks we’ll take care of when you come see us for winter maintenance. Make an appointment with us at Ken Ganley Toyota PA in Pleasant Hills, PA now and be ready for the cold. 

Tags: Toyota Service, Winter Readiness in Pleasant Hills PA
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