Preparing Your Ford for Winter Weather: A Complete Guide

As we all know, our winters are cold in Plainwell, MI, especially with an average low of 19 F in January. Your Ford is built to handle any weather conditions, but it will perform at its best with the right winter maintenance. As your Ford dealer, we want to tell you about some Ford maintenance that will ensure you can drive safely and comfortably despite the low temperatures.

Battery Check

We all know starting the engine takes longer in winter. The low temperature causes the oil to thicken, making it slower to circulate through the engine. Cold also affects your battery, as it temporarily loses power as the temperature falls. At 32 F, for example, a battery only has 70% of its normal power. Starting your engine requires more electricity, and at reduced power, your battery can struggle.

This is particularly true if your battery is three years old or more. An average battery life is only three to five years, as it gradually loses storage capacity due to the natural breakdown of the chemicals inside it. Our technicians will connect your battery to our battery tester so you can get a heads-up on its strength and reliability. If your battery is weakening, we advise replacing it so you’ll have confidence your engine will start every time throughout the winter.

Snow Tires

Regular all-weather tires are fine for urban driving in winter. If you’re spending time in more rural areas, snow tires are the better and safer choice. Snow tires are made from softer rubber than regular tires, allowing them to stay flexible at low temperatures. Flexibility is key when driving on snow or ice, as these tires provide more traction on wet, icy surfaces.

We advise fitting snow tires in approximately mid-November when the temperature is consistently 45 F or less. As the temperature warms with the approaching spring, it’s time to change to all-weather tires again. Winter tires will wear out much faster at higher temperatures. Our technicians can quickly change your tires for the winter, and we also stock winter tires if you need a set.

Check Fluid Levels

Low temperatures affect not only engine oil but your vehicle’s other fluids as well. Your Ford contains many different fluids, including transmission fluid, coolant, windshield washer fluid, and power steering fluid. All these fluids age and eventually need replacement as older fluids become less effective, which can result in damage to their systems.

Our technicians will check all your fluids and replace them if necessary. If the fluids are in good condition, we’ll top them up if required.

These are just some ways we ensure your Ford is ready for the cold weather. If you’d like to know more about winter maintenance, visit us today at Zeigler Ford Plainwell in Plainwell, MI.

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