The approach of winter means it's time to start thinking about road safety. Snowy conditions can make driving around Sterling tricky, and blustery temperatures can wreak havoc on your vehicle's performance. At Dulles Kia, our service team can help ensure you're ready for wintry driving and provide you peace of mind with various winter maintenance services. Keep reading for an overview of some of the top services your Kia vehicle may need this season.
Have Your Tires Checked
There are several factors to consider regarding proper tire care, which are especially important on slick surfaces. You'll want to check your tire pressure regularly for optimal handling. A tire rotation can promote even wear and extend the life of your treads. Speaking of treads, we can inspect yours to determine whether they can provide adequate traction. Worn tires and slippery roads are a dangerous combination. Consider getting winter tires if you need to drive regularly in the snow. Their treads are designed to give you more traction and control in snow and slush. Plus, they're made of a material that remains flexible in freezing temperatures.
Replace Wiper Blades
For maximum visibility in heavy snow, you need wiper blades. If yours are worn, they may not clear away precipitation and can even make things worse by causing your windshield to smear. Like tires, you can get winter wiper blades that are heavier and resist ice buildup. Don't forget to switch back to all-season wipers and tires for optimal performance in the summer. Also, adding winter washer fluid is recommended. It melts ice, snow and frost quickly.
Test Your Battery
Something you may not think of very often is your car's battery; however, you depend on it to keep things running. Extreme cold temperatures in Chantilly can zap a battery's power quickly, especially if it's already compromised. Our service technicians can perform a battery test to let you know if a new one is recommended.
Top Off the Coolant
The coolant in your vehicle's engine needs to be at proper levels with a recommended ratio of antifreeze to water. The precise measurements are different for every model, so why not let our service professionals take care of checking your coolant and topping it off if necessary?
Check Belts and Hoses
The belts and hoses that drive your engine are under great stress and strain every time you go for a drive. These conditions can cause the material to snap or break, so it's wise to check the condition of belts and hoses now before they're exposed to winter's freezing temperatures.
Inspect Your Brakes
A brake inspection can be vital to your winter safety preparations. Worn parts or leaks compromise brake performance and increase your risk of an accident on snow-covered Arlington roads. Schedule a brake inspection with us for optimal stopping power and increased peace of mind.
Be Ready for an Emergency
Finally, you'll want to be sure you're ready in the event of a roadside emergency by packing an emergency kit to keep in your car this winter. You can order a genuine Kia kit through our parts center.
This kit should contain things like:
- First aid supplies
- Flares and matches
- Flashlight and batteries
- Warm clothing
- Blankets
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable food items
- Tools
- Antifreeze
- Shovel
- Bag of sand
- Jumper cables
Also, take time to learn basic emergency preparedness, like not allowing your car to run non-stop and to stay with your vehicle at all times.
Schedule Your Winter Service Appointment Online
These are just a handful of our most common winter vehicle maintenance tasks. You'll want to check your Kia user manual for recommendations tailored to your particular model. Then, schedule a winter service appointment online or by phone. Our team works hard to provide prompt, efficient, and professional service. Let us help you stay safer this winter. We hope to see you at Dulles Kia soon!
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