Here in South Dakota, winter presents some unique challenges. Slick icy roads can make it hard for you to maintain control of your vehicle. Plus, snow and slush cause problems for traction.
It's imperative to carry the appropriate essential items with you throughout the winter season if you happen to slide into a ditch and get isolated in wintery conditions.
That's why it's important to winterize your luxury vehicle in the fall season with these six steps.
1. Buy and use winter tires.
As our Midwestern roads glaze over and become a bit more treacherous, traction becomes a problem. If your tires can't cope with the slick surface, you may lose control. A set of winter tires is a very wise purchase for any driver who can afford them.
Winter tires feature a deeper tread than all-season tires to handle ice and snow. They're designed to retain flexibility and grip in very cold conditions. Winter tires typically last up to five seasons, and the investment can potentially prevent the cost of body repairs or even injuries to yourself or your passengers.
How do you know if a tire is a "winter tire?" Look for the mountain/snowflake logo on the side of the tire, which indicates that they are made for winter driving.
The Luxury Auto Mall carries a wide selection of winter tires in Sioux Falls for all makes and models, and we offer services to warehouse your off-season tires for you.
2. Test your battery.
As the temperatures dip towards the holiday season, it's important to check your battery. Cold weather is hard on vehicle batteries – making it less likely to start. Your car battery will lose power in lower temps, and if your battery is aged, it might fail to start when cold weather hits the Midwest.
Bring your vehicle to our service department to have it tested. We can also test it for you during any service visit to our Cadillac, BMW or Mercedes-Benz service lanes and also at Nice Express Services.
Testing your battery is especially important if your battery is more than four years old. Talk to your service representative at the Luxury Auto Mall of Sioux Falls to determine your options.
3. Make an emergency kit.
No matter how well you take care of your vehicle, the weather picks no favorites here in South Dakota. It's always a great idea to carry spare blankets, gloves and boots to keep you and your passengers warm in the event of an accident.
Other essential items include a flashlight with spare batteries, a shovel, a scraper, bottled water, non-perishable snacks, and first aid supplies.
4. Test your lights.
Blizzard conditions can make it nearly impossible to see without headlights. Additionally, your headlights help you be seen by other drivers on the road. Headlight covers often become hazy over time due to oxidation of the plastic material, which reduces visibility.
The Luxury Auto Mall offers headlight restoration service to clean your headlights to ensure maximum visibility in winter driving conditions. We can also help you check all of your interior and exterior lights and replace any bulbs if necessary.
5. Fill your windshield washer fluid and replace your wipers.
Visibility is essential for safety in blizzard conditions. Many conventional wiper brands can become stiff and ineffective when they freeze. Similar to winter tires, winter blades retain flexibility in the cold an dalso feature a special coating which keeps them close to the windshield surface.
Additionally, it's imperative to check your windshield washer fluid regularly throughout the winter. Use a winter-appropriate fluid that contains an anti-freeze solution. It may also be a good idea to keep a spare bottle of fluid in your vehicle.
6. Get help from the experts.
Our service team at the Luxury Auto Mall of Sioux Falls is expertly trained on winterization. We can handle everything from winter tires to wiper fluid in one visit.
If you want help with vehicle winterization, visit us on West 12th Street in Sioux Falls or call us at (888) 710-3852.
Especially here around Sioux Falls, winter weather can be intimidating and dangerous for even the most experienced motorists. By following these six steps, you can ensure safe winter travel and prevent damage to your vehicle or, more importantly, your passengers and yourself.