Winter Car Care Tips from Your Calgary GM Experts

Winter in Calgary can be tough on your vehicle. With our freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, it’s important to take care of your car to ensure it’s safe and reliable throughout the season. Whether you’re driving a powerful GMC Sierra 1500 or a dependable Chevrolet Silverado 1500, here are some winter car care tips from your friends at Shaganappi GM in Calgary. 

Need service this winter? Schedule an appointment with the Shaganappi GM Service Centre.

Battery Care

Your car battery is particularly vulnerable in cold weather. As the temperature drops, the battery’s cranking power decreases, making it harder to start your engine. Here’s what you can do:

• Check the battery fluid: If you have a conventional battery, check the fluid level and top it up with distilled water if needed.
• Inspect the battery: Look for any signs of damage or corrosion.
• Consider a battery test: If your battery is old or showing signs of weakness, have it tested at our service center.

Windshield Wipers

Your windshield wipers are important to maintaining good visibility during winter driving conditions.

• Inspect the wipers: Check for any damage, such as tears or cracks in the blades.
• Clean the wipers: Wipe the blades with a clean cloth to remove any dirt or debris.
• Consider winter blades: If you experience heavy snow or ice, consider switching to winter wiper blades designed to perform better in harsh conditions.

Tires

Your tires are your car’s only contact with the road, so it’s necessary to have them in good condition for winter driving.

• Check tire pressure: Cold weather can cause tire pressure to drop, so check it regularly and inflate it to the recommended level.
• Check tire tread: Adequate tread depth is essential for good traction on snow and ice. Use the penny test to check your tread depth.
• Consider winter tires: If you frequently drive in snowy or icy conditions, consider investing in winter tires, which provide superior grip and handling.

Oil Changes

Keeping your oil topped up and using the right oil for your vehicle are both important parts of maintaining your engine’s performance—especially in cold weather. Ensure you follow the recommended oil change intervals to keep your engine running smoothly this winter.

Emergency Preparedness

Even when following our winter care car tips, cold weather can lead to unexpected situations. Be prepared by keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle.

• Warm clothing: Pack extra hats, gloves, scarves, and blankets.
• Emergency supplies: Include a flashlight, extra batteries, flares, a whistle, a first-aid kit, and a toolkit.
• Food and water: Keep bottled water and non-perishable snacks in your car.
• Other essentials: Jumper cables, a small camping shovel, and an extra ice scraper can be helpful in winter conditions.

Get More Winter Car Care Tips at the Shaganappi GM Service Centre

Our service center is here to help you with all your winter car care needs and provide you with expert winter car care tips. Whether you drive a GMC Sierra 1500, a Chevrolet Silverado 1500, or any other make and model, our expert technicians are here to keep your vehicle running smoothly all winter long. We offer a wide range of services, including battery testing and replacement, wiper blade replacement, tire inspection and replacement, oil changes, and more.

Contact us to schedule a service appointment today to ensure your car can continue to brave the winter weather.