Here in North Carolina, we may not get the kind of severe winter weather experienced by some people on the East Coast. But we still get our share of subfreezing temperatures and snowy road conditions. That's why it makes sense to bring your car to us at Westcott Automotive in Burlington NC for a winter checkup. The experts in our service center can give your car a thorough exam and help you get ready for colder weather.
Checkpoint #1: Examining your tires
The tires on your GMC Sierra pickup or your GMC Terrain play a critical role in transporting you and your family throughout the year. But they become even more important in winter months. When we do a winter checkup on your GMC or Buick, we can take a good look at tire tread depth and make sure you have enough to travel safely, especially when road surfaces get slippery.
Checkpoint #2: Replacing worn-out tires
When we look at your tires, we'll make sure that your tread depth is at least 4/32nds of an inch. If it's anything less, or if your tires appear to be unsafe for any reason, we will recommend a new set of tires to get you ready for winter. We carry a big variety of well-known name brand tires and we'll be happy to provide you with a recommendation on the best tires for your vehicle.
Checkpoint #3: Have us do a wheel alignment
It doesn't take much to knock your wheel alignment off. It might be nothing more than hitting a pothole as you drive around Graham or Mebane, NC in the winter. When your wheels aren't properly aligned, your steering isn't as accurate or precise as it should be. That can be risky on ideal road surfaces and it's downright hazardous when winter roads are slick. An expert wheel alignment can straighten things out and get you back on track.
Checkpoint #4: A good look at your battery
Colder temperatures are hard on any battery and force it to work harder just to start your car. What's more, your battery isn't going to give you any audible warning signs when it's getting ready to retire. But with our winter checkup, we can run a load test to make sure your battery has enough power to start your car in colder weather. If your battery is nearing the wear-out stage, we have an excellent selection of new batteries In stock.
Checkpoint #5: An examination of your brakes
Obviously it's important for your brakes to give you plenty of stopping power all year long, but it becomes even more critical when you’re driving in the winter. If you notice a squeak when you step on the brake pedal, it's a sign that your brake pads are wearing out. Have us do a winter checkup and we can see if your brake pads need replacement. If we can act early enough, we can help you avoid having to replace your more expensive rotors.
Checkpoint #6: Your windshield wipers
Good visibility is one more important safety factor, especially when winter weather sends rain, sleet or snow pouring down on your windshield as you drive around Greensboro or Carrboro NC. Ask us to check the condition of your windshield wipers. We have first rate wiper blades in stock and can replace your old blades if needed. Schedule an appointment in our service center soon for a winter checkup at Westcott Automotive in Burlington NC.