Cold Weather
You wouldn't head out into cold weather without bundling up. Your vehicle faces similar challenges as temperatures drop. The bottom line: it needs a little extra care as the mercury plummets. A little preparation before winter sets in may help prevent major headaches later.

What You Can Do

• Make sure you have a heavy-duty ice scraper and snow brush in your vehicle.
• Cold weather reduces tire pressure, so check tire pressure often. See your Owner’s Manual for directions and details.
• In severe winter temperatures, you may have to change the grade of your engine oil. Check your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual for the viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle’s engine.
• Check your wiper blades. Cold temperatures can make blades brittle, and ice on the windshield can cause nicks in the blades, decreasing performance.
• If you're planning a trip, take a blanket, extra-warm clothing, a collapsible shovel, a bag of road salt and an extra bottle of windshield washer fluid.
• Put on snow tires if you live in major snow belt areas. Check your vehicle's Owner's Manual for details and recommended practices.

What We Can Do

1. Cold weather affects battery efficiency. Most cold-weather breakdowns occur because batteries aren't delivering full cranking power. Your Tri-Cities technician can check your battery and make sure battery cables are corrosion-free.
2. Winter will take a big toll on your vehicle. Make sure your vehicle is ready. Come into Tri-Cities Battery for a fall season Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection, including checks on wiper blades, tires, fluids and more.

Warm Weather
As temperatures increase, so do the demands made on your vehicle. So make sure your vehicle is up to summer's challenge.

What You Can Do

• Check tire tread depth for excessive and uneven wear.
• In extreme summer temperatures, you may have to change the grade of your engine oil. Check your owner's manual for the viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle's engine.
• Check the cooling system – both hoses and radiator – for leaks. Check the coolant recovery reservoir under the hood when the engine is cold. Add the coolant recommended in your Owner's Manual, if required. Replace conventional coolant every two years or 60,000 miles.*
  
  * Maintenance needs vary with different uses and driving conditions. See your Owner’s Manual for more information.

What We Can Do

1. Check the air conditioning system.
2. After a winter of coughing and sneezing, combined with allergens, bacteria, mold and other microscopic interlopers, you might need to replace your cabin air filter and thoroughly clean or vacuum interior surfaces.
3. Winter can take a bigger toll on your vehicle than you think. Come into Tri-Cities Battery for a pre-summer springtime check-up.