Top 4 Christmas Break Tips for your Vehicle this Holiday Season

December is here, and with the holidays right around the corner, the last thing on your mind is budgeting for vehicle repairs and purchases. We at VIP Tires & Service want to help you limit the stress this holiday season with some great Christmas Break tips for your vehicle to be prepared for the wintery weather.

Check your college student’s vehicle during Christmas Break

If you have a college-aged student at home, Christmas Break is likely the first time they’ve been home for more than a week since they started school. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of their vehicle being back. Consider getting an oil change, checking the tread on their tires, having a look at the brakes, and getting their battery tested while they have a little downtime. It’ll be easier than adding to the stress of the New Year and having to tackle them while they’re away.

Get A Battery Check while on Holiday Break

Nothing says it’s cold outside like a sluggish battery! Batteries typically don’t give warning signs for when they’re about to fail, so get ahead of the issue by getting a battery check before the frigid weather settles in. When it gets colder the fluids in your vehicle get thicker and harder to move — such as the oil in your engine. Your battery has to work even harder than usual to move things where they need to go. This is particularly hard on batteries that are 3 years or older. Make sure you get a battery check to know how your battery is faring. On particularly cold days, unplug your cellphone charger, iPads, and other power-sapping accessories that might make it difficult for your battery to get the job done.

DID YOU KNOW: You can check your battery’s age just by looking at its case? Some brands use anumeric dates, but others use a letter code. IE: A6 stands for “January 2016,” and F7 stands for “June 2017”.

Get a set of Winter or All-Weather Tires for the Holiday

All the experts agree, when it comes to better stopping power, traction, and acceleration in winter weather, winter tires are the most critical factor. At VIP Tires & Service, we guarantee the lowest price on tires every day, and we back that promise up with a 200% lowest price guarantee. If you’re looking for a great winter tire for a great price, we offer the Milestar AW365 and the Vredestein Wintrac Pro. Both are exceptionally rated all-weather and snow tires, respectively. The new Wintrac provides a quieter performance and better overall traction than the previous design.

For those of us who don’t want the hassle of two sets of different tires, there’s always the option of a great all-weather tire. All-weather tires might not be quite as adept as a winter tire is in the snow, but they’re better than an all-season tire in wintery weather because they’re also 3 peak mountain snowflake rated (3PMSF). A great all-weather option to consider is Goodyear’s Assurance WeatherReady that provides excellent performance and an admirable tire warranty.

Pack a Cold Weather Kit

If for some reason you do end up sliding off the road, getting stranded, or having issues when the weather is cold preparing a Cold Weather Kit and leaving it in your car can be a great help. Some essentials recommended by AAA are:

• Snow Shovel
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Window washing fluid
• Ice Scraper with a Brush
• Roll of paper towels or a clean, dry cloth
• Bag of abrasive materials (sand, salt, or kitty litter)
• Jumper cables
• Warning device (triangles or flashing lights)
• Blankets
• Drinking water and high energy snacks like granola bars
• First Aid Kit
• Basic Tool kit
• Mobile phone with a charger and numbers like AAA, emergency contacts, and family pre-programmed

Don’t end up stranded, stressed, or with a dead battery this holiday season! Take these simple Christmas Break tips for your vehicle and keep it racing into the New Year! Turn to your local VIP Tires & Service today to get a FREE battery check, the best price on tires, or a quick oil change. Save time today by scheduling an online appointment.