Car Parts and Winter Auto Maintenance

Bay Area winters don’t subject vehicles to Arctic temperatures, but seasonal changes can still challenge and even damage your vehicle. By investing in pre-seasonal prep work — and finding discounted car parts from a quality auto salvage yard — you can ensure that your car runs smoothly and safely during the cooler months. To that end, here are some tips.

Via Flickr

• Don’t reinvent the wheel – check your owner’s manual. Your owner’s manual should contain recommendations re: servicing and maintenance. Follow them!
• Pay attention to common cold weather problems and deal with them now, before the cold season gets underway. For instance, during cold weather, engines generally have a harder time functioning — they can have trouble starting and choppy idling. Find out now whether your engine (or any other component) could be a problem.
• Planning to leave the Bay Area for the mountains? Add fuel de-icer to the tank, check your battery, and get winter weather tires. Worn tires can be hugely problematic, even if you’re not driving in slick, icy, or snowy conditions.
• Make sure your wheels are aligned and your tires are properly inflated.
• Watch out for exhaust leaks. Fumes from exhaust and penetrate through small holes in the floorboards and the trunk into the cabin, causing dangers if you drive with the windows closed for long periods of time in stalled traffic.
• Prepare for the worst by adding an emergency kit to your car. Include: a flashlight, a camera, a disposable cell phone, gloves, a tire chain, and other necessities.
• Check your brakes, cooling system, and filters before bad weather hits. When it gets cold, wet and blowy, you’ll be less likely to take proactive care of your car, so winterize your car now, while it’s on top of mind.

Contact the Bay Area Used Auto Parts Pros

For help finding auto parts for your vehicle, look to the team here at Rock and Roll Auto Recycling. Our Bay Area auto recycling yard is a trusted, environmentally-responsible business. Give us a call at 925-224-9944 and we’d be happy to provide a free consultation about your auto servicing needs.