When you drive a luxury car like a Lexus, Mercedes, or BMW, it is crucial that you properly take care of it, particularly throughout the cold winter months. The cold weather, snow, ice, and salt can take a huge toll on your vehicle if you don't. Therefore, it is important that you take the steps to properly maintain your vehicle. Here are five tips that will keep your luxury car looking and running its best.
Tip #1: Top Off All Fluids
If at all possible, top off all of the vehicle's fluids before winter arrives, especially windshield washer and antifreeze fluids. Don't forget to switch your motor oil to a winter oil, which will flow easier during the cold weather and have an improved capability of lubricating your engine. You can opt to do this yourself or take your vehicle into a local auto shop.
Tip #2: Check the Battery
During colder weather, your luxury vehicle's battery will often lose its charge. So, before the temperatures dip too low, have a professional inspect it to ensure that you don't find yourself stranded on the side of the road requiring a jump start. You should also have the technician clean the cables and terminals to ensure there is no corrosion, as this can boost its starting power.
Tip #3: Inspect All Hoses and Clamps
Schedule an inspection with an auto repair technician to inspect all of your vehicle's hoses as well as the clamps that hold the hoses in place. If the hoses are worn, loose, or frayed in any way, they should be replaced immediately. If the clamps are damaged, they should also be replaced. Fluid leaks can result in costly engine or transmission damage, so it is better to take care of this early on.
Tip #4: Install New Wiper Blades
During the wintertime, you will be using your wiper blades pretty frequently. Visibility can be a real concern when you are dealing with slushy roads and icy windshields. So, to increase your visibility and driving safety, install new wiper blades.
Tip #5: Install Winter Tires
As a luxury car owner, it is a good idea to have different tires for different seasons. So, as winter approaches, switch your summer tires with winter ones. Winter tires are designed to offer better handling on the snow and ice due to more and deeper treads on the tires. Plus, winter tires are manufactured with softer rubbers, making them more pliable in colder temperatures.
For more information on how to prepare your luxury car—be it a Lexus, BMW, or Mercedes—for winter, reach out to a luxury auto shop, like one that provides Lexus auto shop services.