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OUR BLOG

12/19/2018
As winter temperatures take over, freezing conditions can take a toll on your car. To keep it at its best, inspect your car's fluids. Check out this handy information to make the job easier.



What Fluids to Check on This Winter

Making the transition from warmer temperatures to freezing winter conditions means it's time to take care of some car maintenance. Since the winter cold tends to take a toll on most cars, it's best to be sure your car is ready for this dip in temperatures. To keep your car running at its best and to avoid getting stranded on the road this season, take some time to check on your fluids. To help you get started, check out these tips from ;ALF Marketing.

Check on Your Brake Fluid

Having the right amount of brake fluid in its reservoir means your brakes will be able to perform their job as they're supposed to. Since most brake fluid reservoirs tend to be transparent, checking your level of fluid is quite easy, you just have to identify where it's located first. Generally speaking, your brake fluid level shouldn't change significantly because it's in a closed system. So, if you check on it and notice it's significantly lower than it should be, you may have larger issues to take care of. Not only will this mean your brakes may have trouble performing their job, you may also have a leak or another issue that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible. If this is the case, make a appointment to get your brakes checked as soon as you can.

Stop Your Coolant from Freezing

You coolant or antifreeze specializes in keeping your engine working at its ideal operating temperature. Generally, your coolant will be mixed with water so that it's able to perform its job well. How much water goes into your coolant mix will depend on your car and the type of coolant it uses. However, since winter temperatures can dip quite low, it's important that the amount of water that goes into your coolant isn't too much. If you have too much water in your coolant it can actually freeze and cause serious issues for your cooling system. When checking on your coolant, topping it off is often enough to keep your car in good shape. If your coolant is quite old, flushing it and replacing is a good option.

Get a Synthetic Oil Change

Motor oil is known to become thick and sluggish like molasses as outdoor temperatures get colder and colder. This thick and slow moving oil means your engine will be exposed to premature wear if you're not careful. Luckily, ;synthetic oil ;is able to hold on to its properties no matter how cold it gets outside. This means that even in subzero temperatures, a ;synthetic oil ;will be able to keep your engine protected. If it's time for your car's next oil change, be sure to give it a ;synthetic oil change in Hagerstown ;for the best results. ;To keep your engine well protected this winter, contact the oil pros at ;ALF Marketing. They can help you find the best oil for your car, like ;AMSOIL's ;Signature Series 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil. For more recommendations like this, give them a call at ;(301) 416-0575.

Take a Look at Your Transmission Fluid

Your transmission fluid helps ensure you're able to make gear changes smoothly and with little effort. This fluid should be a reddish color, so if you notice its gone dark and smells burnt, it's definitely time to change it. If your transmission is sealed, however, you won't be able to check on your transmission fluid. Generally speaking, transmission fluid should be changed about every 30,000 miles, so if you're not even close to this, it should be fine.

Fill up on Windshield Washer Fluid

Have you ever needed to clean off your windshield only to realize you were out of washer fluid? Not only is this annoying, it can also be dangerous if your windshield is so dirty you can't see clearly through. To avoid this type of danger, check on your washer fluid and fill your reservoir with it. If you're expecting freezing temperatures this winter, look for a winter grade fluid so that it doesn't freeze on the coldest of winter days.

Winter Is the Perfect Time for a Synthetic Oil Change in Hagerstown

Before the real winter cold arrives, prepare your car with a ;synthetic oil change in Hagerstown. ;Contact ;ALF Marketing ;at ;(301) 416-0575 ;for help finding the right products for your car. You can also ;stop by their ;online shop ;to ;browse their full range of ;AMSOIL Oil ;products.