Ten Winter Car Care Tips for the South Island | Midas

Midas Car Care Tips

A front-on view of a white Toyota in the snow.

If you’ve ever spoken to a car mechanic when that chill is in the air, then you know that we see a lot more people during the winter months. You might also know that this is because your car has to work a lot harder in the cold, when all of its parts cool, and the engine is reluctant to heat up. Follow these tips to combat the South Island chill and keep your car ready and raring to go all throughout the coming winter months, and the rest will be a breeze.

1. Keep Your Gas Tank Full

Starting off with a slightly lesser-known tip, did you know that leaving empty space in your fuel tank in winter leaves your car vulnerable to frozen fuel lines?

If your tank isn’t full when the mercury drops, condensation can form in the remaining space in the tank and subsequently freeze all throughout your fuel lines. So, when you try to start your car, all you’ll get is a sputter and then silence, because there won’t be any fuel flowing through the lines!

Keeping your tank full means there’s no space where condensation can form, so your car can start happily and you can be on your merry way.

2. Wax Your Car

Whether it’s rain or snow falling from the sky, your car is going to have to deal with a lot of extra incoming weather during winter. In order to keep it from blocking up your intakes and staining your windshield, give your car a good wash and wax treatment. These last for months, so you’ll only have to do it once, and the wax makes sure that any slush slides right off of the paintwork.

Just remember to check your intakes for blockages if you’re seeing any snow, as it can compact and pile up in their on your daily commute.

3. Top Up Your Oil

If you haven’t done it recently, make sure that you check and top up your oil before the big chill hits. Engine oil lubricates internal combustion engines, keeping everything turning without any mishaps, and this is even more important when your engine is fighting with winter. When everything gets colder, the parts of your engine don’t move as easily.

4. Coolant and Your Radiator

Speaking of those under-bonnet fluids, you definitely want to make sure that you have enough coolant as well as a properly functioning radiator, as these are the parts of your engine that are integral to managing temperature. An engine that is either too hot or too cold is an engine that does not work, and missing coolant means you’ll overheat in no time.

If your radiator has malfunctioned it will lose the fight against the cold , so make sure to get it checked out and repaired if there are any issues! Signs of a malfunctioning radiator are things like leaking coolant (which you’ll notice under your car) or your car consistently overheating while driving or idling.

5. Check Out Your Tires

Make sure you check your car from the ground up – and yes, we mean literally. Get down and check out the condition of your tires.

Is the tread worn away? If so, your car will have a lot less control on the icy South Island roads, and putting your foot down on the brake will result in delayed stopping.

Do you need winter tires? If the conditions are especially snowy or icy, winter tires will give you that much-needed extra grip on the road, so you may consider having them put on if the winter in your corner of the island. At least carry snow chains and know how to fit them

6. Have a Full Charge

Like most other components of your car, your battery has to work harder to do its job over the winter. That’s why it’s best practice to make sure it’s fully charged (or at least close enough to it) so you’re comfortable taking it out on the road. If it’s a battery you’re concerned about, bring it down to one of our shops and we’ll happily sort you out with a check or car battery replacement if you’re low.

7. Responsive Brakes

While you’re at the shop ensure to check that your brakes are responsive and you have enough brake fluid. Unresponsive brakes in the winter spell disaster, so this is a particularly important step.

8. Let There be Light

Grab a headlight restoration kit or cleaner and make sure your lights are up to scratch. With the reduced visibility that comes with a South Island winter, you want to make sure that your lights are shining as brightly as possible. While you’re at it, check for any bulbs that could give out on you, both in your brake lights and your headlights!

9. Replace Wiper Blades

Wiper blades actually need replacing every eight months or so, and with the impending winter you need to make sure that when you tell your windshield to clear up, it does what you say. Wiper blades that have seen some overuse are more likely to drag, or leave streaks so make sure they’re new and ready to go.

10. Functioning Heater

Lastly, and certainly not least, make sure your heater is in tip-top shape! Not only is this an integral part of keeping you warm on the road, it’s also essential for defogging your windows and windshield to make sure you have enough visibility to drive safely. And if it’s giving you some trouble, come on down to Midas and we’ll sort you out with a car heater repair in no time at all.

We’re the peace of mind specialists

If you’re not so comfortable with the technical side of things, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Bring your car to any Midas branch and we’ll carry out our Peace of Mind Inspection to make sure you’re ready to conquer the winter. Book in today!