Power through Winter with Excellence

Living in Richmond, CA, we experience more mild winters than someone who lives in Northern Alaska. Nevertheless, winter still brings a significant seasonal change for us living in the Bay Area, which can pose a new set of challenges toward your vehicle. Here at Hilltop CDJR, we understand seasonal challenges and the threats they pose toward your vehicle. We feature a certified Chrysler Dodge Jeep and RAM Maintenance Center to handle all of your vehicle's needs. Let's take a look at our cold weather car maintenance checklist as we discover the top tips to keep your vehicle powering through winter this season.

The Importance of Winter Maintenance

Here are our favorite car maintenance tips to keep your vehicle performing it's best this winter:

Check Your Tires
Your tires are actually the only component of your vehicle to come into contact with the road. This makes it vital that your tires are in good shape to conquer rain, and other inclement weather, while safely providing traction for your vehicle. We recommend performing the penny test to ensure that your tires have sufficient dread to conquer increment weather this season.

How to Perform the Penny Test:
Take a penny and stick it in one of the grooves of your tire tread. If you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln's head, it's time to replace your tires.

Check Your Pressure
Did you know that one of the most common reasons for tire blowouts is under-inflation? Cold temperatures can cause your tire pressure to drop, raising the likelihood of a blowout. We recommend that you check your tire pressure weekly throughout the winter to ensure your tires are always properly filled.

Change Your Fluids
We recommend checking your fluids like your oil and antifreeze. Ensuring that your fluids are not past due for service is an important step to preventing winter breakdown.

Check your Battery
Your vehicle's battery is heavily affected by cold temperatures. Not only is it more difficult for your car battery to start a cold engine, but these cold temperatures can also make it difficult for your battery to hold a charge. If it's been more than three years since your last battery change, we recommend performing a battery test to see if you can power through winter this season.

Replace Your Windshield Wipers
In the Bay Area, winter can bring lots of wet weather. Although our weather does not require drivers to use it for wheel drive, it is absolutely necessary to always maintain a clear field of vision. We recommend replacing your windshield wiper blades and refilling your windshield washer fluid before winter arrives.

Schedule Service at Hilltop CDJR in Richmond

At Hilltop Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM, we provide all of the repair services your vehicle will ever need. In addition to routine services like changing your oil and rotating your tires, our full service maintenance and repair center:

• Cabin air filter change
• Tire rotation
• Serpentine belt replacement
• Tire replacement services
• Coolant flush services
• Brake pad replacement
• Spark plug replacement, and more!

Hilltop CDJR is located in Richmond, CA, near Hercules, CA, and San Pablo, CA. We feature a team of certified technicians who use genuine replacement parts to keep your vehicle performing its best and fantastic service specialsthat help you enjoy trusted service at affordable prices.

Schedule an appointment at Hilltop CDJR today and power through winter with peace of mind this season!