Winter Car Care Tips for the Pacific Northwest

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Winter in the Pacific Northwest can be harsh on vehicles. With cold temperatures, rain, snow, and ice, it’s important to get your car ready before winter weather hits. At our dealership, our Master Technician Accredited and Ford Blue Oval Certified service technicians recommend following this winter car care checklist to keep your vehicle running smoothly all season long.

Don’t Let Cold Temperatures Ruin Your Vehicle

Preparing your car for winter should be a top priority for drivers in the PNW. Without proper precautions, you risk breakdowns, dangerous driving conditions, and costly repairs. Our expert technicians see it happen every year – unprepared cars stranded on the side of the road in freezing temperatures.

Don’t let that happen to you! Follow our comprehensive winter car maintenance guide to get your vehicle ready for whatever weather comes your way. We’ll cover everything from battery and tire checks to emergency kits and winter wiper blades. With a little preventative care, your car will be primed to handle rain, ice, and snow with no problem.

Check Your Battery and Charging System

One of the most common winter car problems is a weak or dead battery. Cold temperatures put extra strain on batteries, slowing down chemical reactions and reducing cranking power. Get your battery and charging system tested before temperatures drop. Our technicians recommend testing:

• Battery voltage, condition, and connections – We look for corrosion, damage, and loose cables.
• Alternator output – Makes sure your alternator is charging the battery properly.
• Starter draw – Tests that your starter is cranking the engine effectively.

If anything is amiss, we can determine if your battery needs to be replaced or if electrical issues need to be repaired. It’s much cheaper to be proactive than get stuck with a dead battery on a freezing morning! Check out our battery details for discounts and more information.

Inspect Tires and Adjust Pressure

Tire maintenance is critical for winter driving safety. As temperatures drop, so does tire pressure – typically 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Under-inflated tires wear unevenly, reduce handling, and are more prone to blowouts.

• Check tread depth – Legal limit is 2/32″, but experts recommend at least 4/32″ for winter traction.
• Inspect for damage – Look for cuts, bruises, and uneven wear.
• Adjust tire pressure – Fill tires to the recommended PSI on sidewall.

While you’re checking tires, examine wheel wells and undercarriage for mud or debris buildup. Caked on mud can lead to corrosion and drivetrain damage. If you are in the market for new tires, we carry all the popular brands at Westlie Ford in Washougal, WA.

Consider Specialized Winter Tires

For drivers in cold climates like the Pacific Northwest, winter tires can be a smart investment. Here are their key benefits:

• Deeper tread – Better traction in snow and slush.
• Specialized rubber – Stays soft at low temps for better grip.
• Slanted lugs – Channels water and slush away from tire contact patch.

While all-seasons work fine in many conditions, winter tires optimize safety in ice, snow, and rainfall. Ask our service team if they’re right for your vehicle.

Top Up Fluids

Fluids deserve special attention before winter. Some require changing to winter grades, while others need to be topped up:

• Engine coolant – Protects against freezing and corrosion. Mix should be 50/50 antifreeze and distilled water.
• Oil – Switch to lower viscosity to aid cold starts and flow. Consider synthetic.
• Transmission fluid – Helps transmission warm up quickly.
• Washer fluid – Fill with de-icer fluid rated to -30°F.
• Power steering – Prevents buildup that leads to pump failure in cold.

Our technicians can flush systems and change fluids for winter optimization. Let us know if you need a fluid service.

Wash and Wax Paint and Undercarriage

While it may seem counterintuitive, washing and waxing your car before winter has benefits. A fresh coat of wax prevents road salt, mud, and grime from bonding to the paint. Salt can lead to rust if left on metal surfaces over time.

Pay special attention to the undercarriage, inside fenders, and lower body panels. Hosing off caked on dirt protects from corrosion. After washing, be sure to thoroughly dry all surfaces.

Install Winter Windshield Wipers

Summer and winter wiper blades are designed differently. Winter blades are coated with advanced polymers that resist freezing rain building up. They contain embedded metal strips that help flex the rubber evenly at low temps.

Signs you need new wiper blades:

• Streaking, skipping, and chatter
• Hardened or cracked rubber
• Split or warped blades

Our service team stocks top winter wiper brands, and we can expertly install them and suggest pairs optimized for your vehicle. In the PNW, new windshield wipers make a world of difference, especially when driving through a storm in the winter.

Prepare an Emergency Winter Car Kit

Even with proper maintenance, winter breakdowns happen. Be prepared with an emergency kit including:

• Ice scraper – Scrape ice from windows, lights, mirrors.
• Snow brush – Brush off snow before it compacts on car.
• Jumper cables – For jump starting or getting help from other motorists.
• Traction aid – Sand, cat litter, or traction mats provide grip if stuck.
• Flashlight – For visibility if stranded at night.
• Warning triangles – Alert other drivers if stopped on roadside.
• Snacks and water – Sustain you until help arrives.
• Blanket – Stay warm if heat stops working.
• Gloves and hat – Prevent hypothermia if outside vehicle.
• Shovel – Dig out wheels if car is buried in snow.

Having these essentials on-hand gives peace of mind for winter journeys. We recommend storing the kit in your trunk and checking it periodically.

Get Your Vehicle Serviced

Our fully trained Ford technicians can get your vehicle winter ready with a preventative maintenance check. We’ll:

• Test battery and charging system
• Inspect and rotate tires
• Check and fill all fluids
• Check front end, suspension, belts, and hoses
• Advise on any additional repairs or services needed

As a Ford dealership, we serve mainly Ford vehicles, but can also service all makes and models for smaller projects. Our techs complete specialized Ford training and have access to factory tools and software. You can trust us to keep your vehicle running great this winter. Get your vehicle serviced before it’s too late!

Top Ford Vehicles for Winter Driving

If you’re in the market for a new car, Ford trucks and SUVs are designed with winter performance in mind. Here are a few to consider in our new Ford inventory:

• Ford F-150 – America’s favorite pickup has available AWD, traction control, and off-road packages. The Raptor model excels in snow.
• Ford Expedition – Full-size SUV with available 4WD. Heated seats, adaptive headlights, and BLIS blind spot detection for confidence in bad weather.
• Ford Bronco Sport – Built for adventure with standard AWD, terrain management system, and up to 7.9″ of ground clearance on Badlands models.
• Ford Explorer – Family-friendly midsize SUV with available AWD. Available heated steering wheel and heated/ventilated front seats.

Test drive a new Ford today to take on winter with confidence. Our sales team can answer any questions and help find the perfect winter-ready vehicle.

Be proactive about winter maintenance and preparation. Don’t get caught off-guard by cold weather. Our technicians in Washougal, WA inspect over 100 points on your vehicle to optimize it for rain, ice, snow, and salty roads. Invest in winter car care and avoid costly breakdowns, accidents, and repairs this season. Drive safe out there in the PNW, and contact Westlie Ford for servicing near Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR!

Reviewed By: Ryan Dickerson, General Manager

With over two decades of experience across all facets of the automotive business, Ryan Dickerson leads Washougal’s Westlie Ford dealership with an unmatched passion for Ford vehicles. Applying his expertise in sales, finance, management, and customer service, he provides Westlie Ford clients with personalized guidance on finding the right Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, and crossovers to fit their needs. Known for taking a genuine interest in each customer, he ensures car-buyers receive the small-town friendly experience Westlie Ford is known for, while still providing big-dealership selection and value. Along with doing what he can with helping the local community, Dickerson stays up-to-date on the latest Ford models and technology.