Oil Change Coupons to Winterize Your Car

As the temperature begins to drop it is important to make sure that you are ready. You may go out and buy a parka or some boots. A pair of mittens and a scarf will protect against the arctic chill that could chill you to the bones. You may even plan a sunny vacation to more tropical latitudes to escape the long, cold, dark winter. But, have you considered what your car may need in these freezing temperatures? All drivers know to change the lubricant in their engine every three thousand miles but we may not all know that the vehicle requires special considerations for the cold. With oil change coupons the whole car can be winterized and will be not only smooth running but also reliable through the winter months.

To begin with, simply bring your car to the mechanic shop where you normally go. They will know what kind of driver you are and what sort of needs you may have. Be sure to tell them how your driving habits may change during these colder months. Perhaps you will be carpooling more often or driving on roads that are salted. Also, discuss whether you plan on taking forays up to the slopes. On the mountain the temperature may be a full twenty degrees lower than at sea level and that is something to consider when discussing how best to protect against the elements.

After this has been determined he may recommend switching to a different weight of lubricant. Often that means going from 10w30 perhaps down to something that is rated a 5w-something. The number indicates a lower viscosity of the liquid. That means it will be more fluid at lower temperatures and able to get into all of the parts of the engine even when it is very cold. Also, if you have been cutting costs by using cheaper lubricant it is worth splurging on something of a superior manufacture. Oil change coupons should be available for something along these lines. These two changes will minimize damage upon starting the car on freezing cold mornings.

In addition to utilizing oil change coupons to get the best deal on the work you are having done there are a few other small tips for better winter performance. Make sure that you let your car warm up first thing in the morning. That does not mean turning it on and coming back in twenty minutes, but maybe you should let it run for about half a minute to a minute to allow the lubricant to spread throughout the system. Then, slowly and smoothly accelerate and leave. This will make the car warm up faster and also will reduce strain on the exhaust system.

If you are someone who lives in a significantly cold climate it is worth thinking about an engine block heater to plug in and slowly bring your engine up to temperature. This invention makes it so the vehicle does not need to work quite so hard to get going. One can even leave it plugged in overnight in order to keep all of the fluids liquid and prevent them from thickening up and becoming ineffective.