Winter is coming and it may be time to get a tune-up

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Winter is just around the corner, and it won’t be long until we start seeing the lows reach the 20’s.

Automotive experts said it’s important to have your vehicle ready before the mercury starts to dip.

The leaves are falling, and so are the temperatures.

With the cooler weather, it’s a good idea to give your car a tune-up.

“You know the best thing to do is they need to check the antifreeze make sure you know it’s up to standards, and then next thing to do would be to make sure air filters clean for the winter and check tire pressures,” said Bobby Cade.

It may be tempting to put off airing up your tires, but that could have consequences.

“Well, the main thing is, if you run a low tire and it warms up warmer than it should because it’ll get hot when it’s low, you know, you can have a blow out. .A low tire will get hotter than a normal tire,” said Cade.

It’s a morning ritual for many to let your car warm up before heading out for the day.

But that might not be the best idea.

“It’s not ever good to let a car idle in winter or summer because the cold weather is not going to affect an engine once it warms up. You know, it’s one thing to warm a car up and get the water to running temp, but when you continue to idle, you’re pushing you’re even in the wintertime,” said Cade.

That warm engine may also be an invitation for critters.

Cade said they have already seen cars with chewed wire, torn insulation, and other damages caused by rodents.

“If you think about something you pull your car on the carport night, it’s warm hoods down. You go inside; things get quiet. The mice will come to the top of that car get up on the engine to get away from the cats and dogs and, and if you have cat food or dog food on the carport, that’s really a no-no because that gives them a food source. Yeah, we got one in the backs been chewed up now,” said Cade.

Another thing Cade suggested is to make sure your windshield wipers and heater are working.