After a fantastic summer of driving around in your luxury vehicle, you’re finally ready to prepare your car for the cold, snowy winter season. There are many obstacles that come with being a car owner in the winter, from slick and icy roads to freezing temperatures that can affect your engine oil, battery performance, and even tire pressure. Here, we’ve detailed the best ways you can get your luxury car in the best shape possible as the colder months approach.
Address Your Tires
More often than not, the current tires on your luxury vehicle do not have the features necessary to brave the winter roads. Luxury vehicles come with high-performance tires that adjust to warmer temperatures, giving them the traction necessary for smooth vehicle handling. Once temperatures begin to drop below 45°F, the rubber of these tires isn’t as soft and flexible; they harden in the cold, which affects traction and can make driving conditions dangerous in winter weather.
Switching to winter tires lets you enjoy your luxury vehicle throughout the year and enhances the overall safety of the car. While high-performance summer tires are designed to have shallower grooves to provide that sleek handling you know and love, winter tires have deeper grooves and sipes, which latch onto slippery snow and ice while shunning water to prevent the vehicle from hydroplaning during inclement conditions.
Don’t Forget About The Exterior
Think of your car’s exterior the same way you’d think about your skin! Your car’s paint requires a bit of extra protection and maintenance during the winter to remain beautiful. Before the snow and cold roll in, it’s always best to bring your vehicle in for a comprehensive wash and detailing service. Once winter arrives, it can be helpful to receive a detailing service every 1-2 months, especially if you live in an area that routinely lines the roads with salt, which can affect your vehicle’s undercarriage.
We also recommend applying a hydrophobic sealant to your vehicle, which can ward off moisture, salt, and other dirty elements that can affect your car’s painted exterior. Salt can and will corrode the paint and metal on your car, so it is important to take as many precautions as possible to keep your luxury vehicle in pristine shape.
Protect Your Car’s Interior
Now that we’ve tackled the exterior, it’s time to review a few essential tips and tricks for protecting your car’s interior during the winter. All-weather mats are a critical investment for your vehicle. Made with strong materials like rubber or EVA, these mats are created with snow, salt, and slush in mind, trapping these elements and preventing the fabric and high-end interior lining of your vehicle from being affected. It can also be useful to protect the trunk of your car as well with a cargo liner, especially if you’re partial to winter activities like skating, sledding, snowboarding, and skiing.
Since winter tends to be a pretty damp season, you’ll want to add moisture-absorbing components to your car as well. Purchase items like charcoal bags, which can be placed around your seats or in your glove box to absorb humidity and keep mold growth from occurring. To further protect the premium materials in your car, like leather seats, you should never skimp on conditioning! Cold air can dry out leather, leaving it brittle and prone to damage. A monthly leather conditioning service can help you keep your seats in tip-top shape.
HM Motorworks Can Help You Maintain Your Luxury Vehicle!
Don’t leave your winter prep for the last minute – connect with our automotive experts at HM Motorworks! We’ll take care of all your winter must-have services, from premium oil changes to HVAC updates and steering repair. Schedule your private appointment today by giving us a call at 603-881-7755!
