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Prepping Your Car — Classic or Modern — for Winter

Why should I prep my car for winter in Northern California’s mild climate?

Although Sonoma County winters are not harsh compared to Eastern or Midwestern winters, you are still dealing with a changing environment. Mornings are colder, the days are shorter and there are occasional heavy rains.

All this means that lights are on longer, which puts more loads on the battery and drive belts. As the average temperature gets colder at night, it puts a strain on weak batteries.

If the thermostat is not working properly you can probably get away with your car running a little cool in summer, but in winter, when you’re depending on engine heat to defrost your windows it’s not there.

What parts should I have checked?
  • Lights – bulbs, alignment and beams. Your car’s lights get a heavy workout in winter
  • Wiper blades – These should be new or smooth and un-nicked. In slushy or hard-rain conditions, faulty blades can endanger you by cutting off your view.
  • Antifreeze – After two years, antifreeze can become corrosive
  • Battery – Cold mornings and increased use of lights can weaken a battery
  • Tire pressure and tire wear – Treads should be deep to adhere to slippery driving conditions
  • Brakes – In icy conditions, properly functioning brakes help prevent panic stops
  • Thermostat – This small part determines how much (and how hot) heat you get in your car’s interior
  • Car heater – A properly functioning heater is a godsend on a cold morning
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    Why should I winterize my classic British car when I have no intention of driving it in the cold months?

    For classics, you’re really thinking four months ahead to the time when you can bring the car out of storage. In the meantime we can provide you with battery tenders that keep the battery at proper voltage during storage. Of course we recommend that you periodically start up the car and take it for a short drive. Older British cars last much longer with periodic use, rather than left standing.                                                                                                                  ■

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