Winterizing Your Car for Washington

The holidays are a jolly time, but the extreme cold, snow, and ice can be the worst of your nightmares. As a car owner in Tri-Cities and nearby areas, you will be gear up for the winter before you head out on your commutes. So how do you go about winterizing your car? Find out in the following checklist and FAQs with Camp Chevrolet’s service team below.

Winterization for Spokane: A Checklist 

One part of winterizing your car for Washington is to ensure your car is in good condition. Here is what to check for and what to get done: 

• Battery condition
• Freeze condition
• Anti-freeze, coolant, wiper fluid
• Check under the hood for any buildup of leaves or debris
• Check the tires/Switch out for winter or snow tires
• Check the lights
• Replace wiper blades
• Get rubber mats 
• Other services our technicians can look at when you schedule an appointment with us! 

The other part to get your vehicle ready for the season is to have an emergency kit in your trunk, so if you ever get stuck near Spokane Valley, you and your passengers can stay safe until you have help. You should include these items in your kit: 

• First aid kit
• Cell phone charger
• Jumper cables
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Bottled water
• Food that has a long shelf life even in the back of your vehicle (high-protein ones are ideal)
• Extra prescription medications
• Bag of sand, cat litter, or salt if your tires are stuck
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Warm clothes (such as fleece hats, gloves, scarf) or blankets
• Whistle
• Maps

Besides doing all of these items on these two checklists, you will want to also be more cautious every time you will drive in the area. If the weather is horrible, ask yourself if the trip is necessary. If it can wait, you should wait til the weather is better. When you are going out, be sure to have half a tank of gas at all times, so you can get by without being stuck during your commute and not having immediate help. You should also plan ahead to see how the temperature will change later in the day and how long it will take you to get to your destination while considering the road conditions.

Washington Winterization: FAQs

Q: When should you start winterizing your car for Washington?

A: While you think you might still have some time at the start of winter, you actually want to start preparing in the fall as auto shops get busy during the winter. Plus, with the holidays, you will want to make sure you don’t get stuck in the middle of the Post Falls roads.

Q: How much does it cost to get your car winterized?

A: It’s hard to give a solid answer as it will depend on what you need to do. If you don’t need a new battery or set of winter tires, then the maintenance checks and services can cost between $50 and $100. When you come to Camp Chevrolet, you can enjoy our service offers if you’re concerned about the cost! As for the winter emergency car kit, that will once again depend on what you already have and what you need to buy. You should be able to find most items in your home, but if you need to buy anything, it will be worth the price as it can be life-changing should you ever get into a situation where you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere. 

Q: What does winterizing your car include? 

A: Mainly, it includes making sure your vehicle is in proper working condition and that you have a kit with essentials if you’re in the worst situation possible. 

Q: Is winterizing a car necessary?

A: Yes, it is! While you could have been living in Tri-Cities for your whole life or you have been driving in extreme winters for a long time, you will still want to ensure you’re doing everything you can to stay safe. So getting your car ready for the winter season is absolutely necessary. 

Q: What happens if I don’t winterize my car? 

A: You will put yourself and any passengers in danger. This can mean getting into an accident that could’ve been avoided if your car was in the right condition to handle the extreme road conditions or not having the essentials to stay alive until you have help to get you out of a situation. 

Get Ready for the Winter with Camp Chevrolet Today

It’s time to get your vehicle all set up for the upcoming season! Camp Chevrolet is your Spokane dealership and has all the information you need, so if you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us and we’d be happy to help.