Bledsoe Towing & Automotive: maintaining your car in the winter

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Winter

Ready or not, old man winter is making his way to our area soon - is your car ready for him? Every year winter comes and goes, and you never know whether to expect a harsh winter with snow, ice, and chilly temperatures - or a mild winter where it feels like you can still keep your garden going. No matter what happens, there are a few things you can do for your vehicle to help make the transition to winter, and the survival of winter a little smoother and easier. At Bledsoe's Towing, we want to keep you safe on the road for every season, so here are a few ways to get your car prepared for winter!

Check Your Antifreeze

When your antifreeze is low, it can prevent the coolant from running properly because it could freeze. This can inhibit your engine's ability to cool, and even in cold weather, it could overheat. Are you afraid that your coolant is low? Bring your car out to Bledsoe's Towing and we'll take a look at it for you.

Keep The Tank Full

Not only is it a good idea to keep your fuel tank above half because it helps it to run smoothly, but in the winter you just never know what to expect. Have you ever been stuck in bad winter traffic where everyone is trying to get home at two miles per hour? Your twenty minute drive just became two hours, and if you don't have enough fuel to keep your car running that long, you'll have more issues than staying on a slick road.

Get Your Tires Rotated & Aligned

Your tires play a huge role in getting you from point A to point B, so make sure they are in tip-top shape for the upcoming winter. If they are starting to bald, you'll want to check them, and potentially replace them. You want to have plenty of grip on your tires when you venture out into inclimate weather. You also want to stay on top of having them rotated and aligned. This helps to keep your tires in good condition by wearing them properly.

Change Our Your Windshield Wiper Fluid

Chances are, if you'll be driving much this winter, you'll run into some form of weather where you need your windshield wiper fluid. There are also summer blends and winter blends to consider. While the summer blend is mostly water, the winter blend has other compounds added to it to keep it from freezing.

Pack Your Car Properly

Finally, you want to pack your car appropriately. While we don't live in an area where sudden blizzards are common, it doesn't hurt to keep a few items in your car just in case you need them. Think of things like nonperishable food, some water, blankets, gloves and hats. You'll also want to have things for your car like jumper cables, a bag of kitty litter or sand to help get you out of a ditch. Or, you can program our phone number into your phone so that if you do end up somewhere that you didn't intend you can give us a call for the best towing service at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Best Car Shop at the Lake of the Ozarks

Are you looking for a place to bring your vehicle for a tune up or repair? At Bledsoe's Towing we specialize in keeping your car up and running no matter what season - but we definitely want to help you prepare for this season and make your winter driving a success!

Serving the Lake of the Ozark with all towing at automotive

needs - big or small!

www.BledsoesTowing.com

322 South Business Route 5

Camdenton, Missouri 65020

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Thursday, March 3, 2016

Caring For Your Car Through the Winter

There have been many signs that spring is around the corner, but winter is still threatening us with chilly temperatures and vague hints of snow. If you haven't taken precautionary methods to protecting your car from the cold elements, now is the time to do so. The harsh weather and chemicals used to clean up snow and ice can take a toll on your vehicle. Use these easy tips to keep your car in great condition, and ready to cruise in the spring!

Conserve Your Battery

Your battery will take a hard hit through the winter months, and the cold air will cause it to reduce it's cranking power. In fact, a battery at 0° has only half the cranking power of a battery in 80° weather. It's important to check the levels of your battery, and if this isn't something you know how to do, bring it out to Bledsoe's Towing & Automotive. A few things to keep in mind as you are considering whether to get a new battery or not, is if it's more than five years old, and start to show signs of weakness, it's time to get a new car battery at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Care For Your Windshield Wipers

Winter can be especially hard on your windshield wipers. From the ice, snow, rain, and freezing temperatures, there are many reasons to replace them. In fact, you may need to replace your windshield wipers more than you ever thought. They recommend that you replace them at least 2 times per year, and if you see streaking or unclear spots on your window, that's a sure sign that you need new blades. We can help you with this, and show you which blades will be the best for your vehicle.

Clear Your Windows

If you keep your car outside, it's always a good practice to either scrape your windows off in the morning or go out ten minutes early and turn the defrost on. You never want to run your blades over an ice or frost covered windshield. Some cars don't have heaters in the side mirrors, so you may also need to remember to scrape those off as well.

Check the Oil

Cold weather can cause motor oil to thicken, which can put a strain on your engine. It's important to bring your car out to Bledsoe's and get the oil checked. While your car is in the shop, you can also ask us to check out your radiator and heater hoses for cracks, leaks or contamination.

Consider New Tires

Sliding across snow and ending up in a ditch isn't the best way to find out that your tires are worn out and you need new ones. Bring your car over and we can take a look at them to find out if they are still good to go for more miles, or if it's time to retire them and get new ones.

Best Automotive at the Lake of the Ozarks

Since 1964, Bledsoe's Automotive and Towing has been providing quality auto service to the Lake of the Ozarks. We can care for your vehicle in our shop, helping you maintain it, and keep it in working order. We can also come out and give you a tow or even get your keys out of your car! Give us a call today at 573-346-7050 for ALL of your automotive needs!