How to help your car survive this cold Chicago winter

Hey Chicago, it sure has been cold out there this week, hasn't it? For many of us Chicagoans, we keep our car parked outside during these winter months. While we continue to take public transit to work, our car sits on the streets undisturbed. Eventually you may need to use your car for a short or long trip, here's hoping it starts.

Some quick tips to ensure that your car starts up when you need it next include:

-Routinely start up your car: Even if you're not heading anywhere, it doesn't hurt to start your car every now and then and take it for a quick 15 minute drive. Not doing so could cause the battery to die.

-Clear your car off: This should be obvious. When snow (finally) begins to pile up, brush it off your car. Don't be that guy with a foot of snow on their car. Your car deserves better treatment than that.

-Wash your car when it gets above freezing. This doesn't really have anything to do with ensuring that your car starts up, but it doesn't hurt to wash off the layers of salt on your car every now and then.

For more Chicago car winterizing tips, contact West Loop Auto today!

Safe Driving in Winter Conditions

With winter upon Chicagoland and icy and snowy conditions starting to show up on our motorways, now is the time to focus on safe driving. Remember, these aren't the same roads you've been used to the past fall and summer. These slushy, icy and snow-filled roads are simply a car accident waiting to happen.

The simplest steps to take during these wintry conditions, as provided by the American Safety Council, are to:

• Stay alert;
• Slow down; and
• Stay in control

Of course, if your car isn't prepared for the winter, none of these tips will be of any help. Have you winterized your car yet? West Loop Auto is proud to offer winterizing options and winter survival kits for your car for your automobile. Take your car in today for important maintenance to get you through these cold months. Making sure that your brakes, exhaust system, wipers, heater, battery, tire pressure, defroster and other vehicle parts and services is in working order is extremely important.

Even the best driver is going to struggle through the winter season if their car hasn't been properly maintained. With so much in the way of fluctuating temperatures in Chicago, your car requires a bit of TLC before it faces another harsh Chicago winter.

For all of your Chicago winter car care, contact West Loop Auto at 866-738-1975.