Preparing Your Ram for Winter: Essential Maintenance Checks

Your RAM truck is strong and can easily take on the toughest terrain, but it requires specialized maintenance to allow it to perform at its best in the depths of winter. As your RAM dealer, we want to advise you on RAM maintenance to prepare for winter here in Altoona, PA.

Tire Checks

Snow tires aren’t essential for driving in Altoona, PA in winter unless you are driving on rural roads. Snow tires are made from softer rubber than regular tires, which allows them to remain flexible and provide better grip at low temperatures. We do recommend checking your tires to ensure they’re in good condition and have sufficient tread to provide enough traction when needed.

Our technicians will inspect your tires and can also correct any balance issues they find. Correct tire pressure is important for safe driving, and your tire pressure naturally drops as the weather gets colder. A 10-degree drop in temperature decreases tire pressure by 1 PSI, and low pressure increases tire wear and reduces their grip on the surface.

Battery Testing

Your battery has the vital task of providing the power that starts your engine. It weakens over time due to the natural breakdown of the chemicals inside it, and the average battery lifespan is only three to five years. Extreme cold makes the electrolyte solution partially solidify, weakening the battery’s ability to supply enough power when needed.

If your battery is at least three years old, we advise getting a battery test. We test your battery by connecting it to our computerized battery tester. The tester subjects your battery to various strength tests to identify its present strength and any potential weaknesses. If your battery is weak, the additional strain from low temperatures could kill it. We can replace your battery so it will provide the power to get your RAM moving through the winter snow.

Windshield Wiper Replacement

Your windshield wipers are designed to quickly remove water, mud, or snow from the windshield and provide the necessary visibility. The blades are made from toughened rubber to clean the windshield without damaging it. As time passes, the rubber blades can crack or break and won’t clear the windshield. The damaged blades can also scratch the windshield.

We’ll examine your wiper blades and replace them if they’re worn or damaged. We can also test the motor to ensure it provides enough speed and power to clear any snowfall. We’ll also check your wiper fluid and top it up if necessary. A single snowfall can easily exhaust your supply of wiper fluid.

Book your winter maintenance today by contacting our service department at Courtesy Motor Sales in Altoona, PA.

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