5 Tips for Winterizing Your Jeep

With snow and subzero temperatures on the way, now is a good time to make sure that your Jeep is prepared for winter driving. Performing proper preventative maintenance can ensure that your Jeep survives the harsh winter conditions. Read below for a list of 5 essential checklist items that you should heed as the temperatures drop. Following this checklist will help you and your Jeep to be ready for the season ahead.

Test Your Battery

Car battery failure commonly occurs as the temperature begins to drop. When the battery’s terminals are connected, a chemical reaction generates electrons to supply power. When the temperature of the battery is lowered, the chemical reaction is slowed, resulting in less current output. In freezing temperatures, your battery’s capacity can be reduced by up to 20%. Before the winter weather arrives, be sure to have your battery tested and replaced if it’s testing weak. This preventative maintenance could save you from being stranded off-roading after your engine won’t start.

Need help testing or replacing your battery? Our skilled technicians are happy to help. Schedule an appointment with our Online Service Scheduler or call us at 888-291-4251.

Check Your Wiper Blades

Visibility is crucial for drivers, and the ability to see clearly in inclement weather starts and stops with your windshield wipers. Drivers should always be in the habit of looking at their wiper blades every few months, but it’s particularly important at the onset of winter. If you notice any clues suggesting they’re wearing out, it’s best to be proactive and replace your wiper blades before you’re stuck in a snowstorm with a blurred view of the road.

Look for these telltale signs to determine if your wiper blades need to be replaced:

• The blades are streaking, smearing, or clicking when wiping the windshield
• There are uneven edges and missing pieces on either of your wiper blades
• Cracks are visible anywhere on the wiper blade

Prepare an Emergency Kit and Keep it Stored in Your Jeep

Getting caught in the middle of nowhere while off-roading in your Jeep is not only inconvenient, it’s dangerous. Every Jeep should be outfitted with emergency supplies, particularly if you plan to travel through extreme terrain or remote areas.
Prepare an emergency kit with the following items for emergency situations and keep it stored in your vehicle:

• Ice scraper
• Jumper cables or portable jump starter
• Small shovel
• Flashlight with batteries
• Snow chains for your tires
• Kitty litter for tire grip
• First aid kit
• Sand bags
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Small knife
• Gloves
• Winch rope/pulley

Check Your Tires

Your Jeep’s tires have an impact on the vehicle’s grip, ride quality, braking, and overall safety. As we enter the winter season, make sure that your tires are capable of driving safely in the snow.

Perform a basic inspection of the integrity of your tires, starting with the tread. If they’re on the cusp of being worn past safety regulations, consider replacing them instead of risking the season. You should also look for any debris lodged in the rubber itself that could cause a leak. Inspect the sidewalls for any bubbles, gashes, cuts, or damage. The sidewall is generally not repairable, so if you notice a nail or anything penetrating your tire’s sidewall, the tire will need to be replaced. A bubble in the sidewall indicates a failure of the internal liner which makes your tire more prone to a blowout or air leaks.

Test the Heating System

With your top down all summer and warm Chicago temperatures continuing through October this year, you may not have needed to flip your heat on for quite some time. Be sure that your heater is in good working condition before the cold arrives. If your Jeep’s heating system blows out cold air, this should be an obvious sign that you need to make a fix. However, if the system blows out lukewarm air when the heat is on full strength, your Jeep could have a clogged heater core. If this is the case, contact our Service Department so that we can get your heater back in working order.

Do you need help with winterizing your Jeep? Our award-winning service team is happy to help! We offer service and parts financing options with no hard credit checks, a 90% approval rate, and lightning fast response.

Schedule an appointment with our Online Service Scheduler or call us at 888-291-4251.