Has the temperature where you live dipped below 20 degrees yet for a sustained period? Then, yes, you're officially in the midst of a New Hampshire winter. That's why the time is now to check your Subaru to make sure it's fully winterized. You don't want to be in the middle of a long drive back from visiting the grandparents, with kids in the backseat, and have the "check engine" light start flashing, or come up empty on windshield washer fluid in the middle of a freezing rain storm.
That's why Belknap Subaru suggests checking a few things on your Outback, Forester, Impreza or Legacy before you hit the road this winter, whether it's for a trip to the supermarket, the commute to work or a road trip to visit relatives.
- Make sure your car has plenty of fluids. This includes engine coolant, also known as antifreeze (a 50/50 mix of water and coolant is generally recommended); windshield washer fluid and even gasoline. Keeping a full tank of gas reduces the chance of water accumulating and freezing in your fuel pump and also ensures you can keep your engine running in the event you do get stuck on the side of the road.
- They're called winter tires for a reason - get a set. Winter tires, or snow tires, are made of a softer rubber to improve flexibility and grip in cold temperatures. They also feature a different tread pattern and deeper grooves to improve traction on snowy and/or icy surfaces.
- Have your brakes checked and test them regularly. Obviously, stopping distances get longer on slick surfaces, and snow and ice make things even worse. It's a good idea to have your brake pads and rotors checked at your dealership at the start of the winter season. And whenever you head out on a journey, particularly in inclement weather, test your brakes to make sure you're slowing/stopping properly.
The service center at Belknap Subaru is ready to help get your Subaru ready for whatever the New England winter has to offer, from testing your car's warning and indicator lights to performing brake jobs and other maintenance. We even offer express service for oil changes, tire rotation and minor maintenance - no appointment is needed. You can also easily schedule a service appointment online.
Belknap Subaru is located in Tilton, NH, and we're convenient to the towns of Concord, Manchester, Laconia and Plymouth. Stop by our showroom today to see the latest Subaru models and learn about our current specials.
