Your Winter Maintenance Checklist for Life in Arizona

For Flagstaff drivers, it’s no secret that our winter months are a far cry from what you might call a “snowy winter wonderland.” That being said, while winter in Arizona isn’t as intense as in some other areas of the country, temperatures do drop down pretty low, especially in higher elevations. We may not need a new set of snow chains on our tires, but there are still many important maintenance tasks you’ll need to ensure your vehicle is winter-ready and avoid potential risks.

So what do you need to do to make sure your trusty desert runner can survive these cold temperatures? Here are some routine winter maintenance tips Arizona natives can tick off on their checklists this winter season.

1. Have Your Battery Tested. Car batteries do not like excessively hot or cold temperatures. If it’s been over two years since you replaced it, your battery is working on borrowed time. A fully charged battery measures about 12.7 volts or more. If the voltage falls below 12.5, the battery should be recharged as soon as possible. Batteries are completely dead once they fall to 11.9 volts. Modern vehicles require a much higher amount of voltage to keep up with the demand for electronic use. As a result, the starter may struggle to start up once the battery gets low on charge.

2. Check Your Engine Coolant. Your vehicle’s coolant does more than just keep your car cool – it also acts as an antifreeze. When temps drop below freezing, antifreeze is used to keep your cooling system from freezing. Vehicles that do not have the proper mixture of antifreeze to water in the radiator can freeze and cause massive failures. Frozen water can actually split your engine block right in half. It can explode radiators, split hoses and otherwise cause massive damage.

3. Check Tires & Alignment. Tire pressure often drops right along with temperatures. Check the pressure of each of your tires and inspect their condition. Look for uneven tread wear, cupping, and nicks or cuts on the sidewalls. Make sure your tires are rotated every 10,000 miles, and don’t forget about your spare. If you do happen to have a flat tire while on the road, a flat spare will do you no good. Additionally, make sure your vehicle’s tires are properly aligned. Poor alignment and underinflated tires can accelerate tire wear and affect gas mileage.

4. Check Your Gasket. Cooler temperatures can prompt an otherwise healthy gasket to spring a leak. As the temperatures go down, your rubber seals and gaskets have a tendency to shrink, which can exacerbate minor leaks. A leaking valve cover gasket can allow engine oil to run down onto your exhaust system, which is very hot, and you guessed it – the result is smoke.

5. Check the Thermostat. A malfunctioning thermostat will not allow your engine to get hot enough. The result? Poor fuel economy, and even worse – a weak heater! If your heater feels like it is not functioning as well as it should, there is a good chance you are in need of a new thermostat.

Whether you’ve planned holiday camping trips or just need to get from point A to point B reliably, it’s important to ensure your car is equipped to travel in a winter wonderland – or at least something like it! Thankfully, the service technicians here at Planet CJDR are highly skilled in performing routine maintenance, so you can have your vehicle winter-ready in no time! Contact us to schedule a service appointment today!

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