Winter isn’t done yet, so don’t ease up on car care

With bitterly cold weather hanging on well into the next week, now is not the time to let down your guard on vehicle maintenance. 

Preparations made at the beginning of winter may need a tune-up, experts said.

In the winter, tire pressure tends to decrease due to the cold air. That makes it important to keep tabs on whether they are filled to the recommended amount (typically between 30 and 35 PSI, or pounds per square inch).

B.J. Rosmolen, owner of B.J.'s Auto Collision and Restoration in St. Joseph, also recommends checking your vehicle's battery.

"Batteries are a big thing in this cold weather," Rosmolen said. "We've been selling a lot of batteries here lately because this cold weather just takes a toll on that stuff."

Rosmolen said getting your vehicle's battery tested can head off issues before they become a bigger and more costly problem.

"If it doesn't test 100%, that's a good time to replace it," Rosmolen said. "It'll save you a tow bill, it'll save you being stranded on the side of the road, and they always quit at the most inopportune times."

Antifreeze is another important thing to worry about when it comes to vehicles in the winter. Straight antifreeze should not be poured into a vehicle. When using antifreeze, there should be a 50-50 mixture of antifreeze and water.

Rosmolen also said that when it is cold outside, starting your car before hitting the road can be beneficial.

"Letting the car run for a little bit, warm up, is not a bad thing," Rosmolen said. "It kind of lets the engine warm up. When it's bitter cold, you jump in your car and just take off. You'd be better off to let it run at least a few minutes, even if you're sitting in it."