How Often does a Subaru Need Maintenance?
Whether for winter maintenance or any other time of year, it’s important to schedule routine maintenance to make sure you get the best out of your vehicle. Each Subaru is built with intended service intervals for each vehicle component, including air filters, brakes fluids, and engine oil. The length of these intervals is determined by months passed or miles driven; whichever comes first. If you don’t drive your Subaru very often, service is recommended by months passed, since certain vehicle components and fluids can wear down or lose their protective capabilities over time. If you are a frequent driver or take long trips, service is recommended based on miles, since vehicle use on the road can also wear down and reduce protective capabilities of parts and fluids. For changing engine oil, Subaru vehicles on the road today should have their engine oil changed every six months or 6,000 miles.
Why is Maintenance in the Winter so Important?
Winter maintenance is especially important to keep your Subaru safe and performing well. On top of the challenges that winter weather can have on driving on the roads, the cold temperatures and snowy, salty roads can take a toll on your vehicle. Tire issues come up frequently in the winter, since your tires lose a pound of pressure with every 10-degree drop in temperature. Driving with underinflated tires can wear them down at a quicker rate, reducing the traction needed to navigate icy or snowy roads. Even without snow, winter tires are recommended in regions where temperatures fall regularly below 45 degrees. Swapping out your regular tires for winter tires will give you better traction while stopping and turning on cold roads. Cold weather can bring new challenges for your vehicle, so it’s important to make sure all of its parts and systems are running smoothly.
How can I keep My Car in Good Condition in the Winter?
Scheduling a winter maintenance service appointment with Subaru’s factory-trained team will ensure your vehicle is ready for winter weather. Winter maintenance appointments include testing the health of the battery, reviewing the condition of brake pads and rotors, and examining the quality of tires, with the option to change to winter tires. Subaru’s technicians will also check the quality of windshield wiper blades, test the heating and defrosting systems, and make sure all of your vehicle’s lights are functioning properly. They will also check your coolant, which acts as an antifreeze in colder weather.
Is it Good to Wash your Car in the Winter?
After roads are plowed and salted, regular driving can result in a salty, grimy residue on the exterior of your vehicle. Salt, and other particles can also get trapped in components and in hard to access areas on the underside of a car, which can lead to corrosion over time. With that, it is important to include a cleaning routine in your Subaru’s winter maintenance. Having your vehicle washed and protected before temperatures drop and snow starts falling is a good way to get ahead of the mess that snowy roads can create. During winter months, bi-weekly car washes can help keep your car in good condition, especially if you find a car wash that is able to clean the undercarriage.
Should I Park my Subaru in a Garage for Better Winter Maintenance?
Parking your Subaru in a garage can make some parts of your winter maintenance easier. The obvious plus is that your car is protected from harsh weather, meaning you won’t have to put up your wipers or scrape ice and snow off after each snowfall. Keeping your vehicle in a garage also keeps the engine oil and other fluids thinner, which will lubricate the internal parts of your Subaru quickly after starting your car. However, if you are parking in a garage after driving on salted roads, the added temperature and humidity can accelerate the formation of rust. Making sure that your garage is well ventilated and does not get too warm to avoid this problem.Rafferty Subaru’s Service Department is there Winter Maintenance
If you have questions about maintenance or would like to schedule a winter maintenance service appointment, call Rafferty Subaru today. Our service team will make sure that your Subaru is ready to take on the winter roads.
