Winter

Go to a Playa West Automotive and and have your motor oil changed to a viscosity appropriate for your local temperatures. The lower viscosity oils (noted on the container by number i.e. 5W-30) flow better and will therefore offer more protection in lower temperatures.

Go to Playa West Automotive to have your cooling system drained and flushed. Refill the system with a fresh mixture of 50:50 antifreeze and water. The antifreeze will keep the fluids from freezing up and thereby protect your engine and its moving parts in cold weather conditions.

Go to Playa West Automotive and ask for a safety inspection that includes belts, hoses, fluids, tires, lights, and battery check. Replacing these low cost parts before they are needed can often save you a much higher cost of inconvenience and repair in the event of a breakdown.

Go to a Playa West Automotive and have your windshield wiper blades replaced and wiper fluid reservoir filled. These low cost items can drastically improve your vision in winter conditions and thereby prevent accidents. Wiper blades should be replaced every 6 months because the rubber hardens over time and becomes ineffective.

In areas exposed to freezing temperatures, spray door locks with lubricant to prevent freezeups. You don’t want to be stuck on a freezing winter night not being able to unlock your door.

Things to have on hand especially in the winter months include 1) Jumper cables 2) Windshield Scrapers 3) Flashlight w/ batteries 4) Emergency Flares 5) Traction aids (i.e. chains, sand, gravel).

Don’t try to force turn a frozen lock, you can break the key off inside it. Instead, try one of these tricks: 1) Use another door 2) Use a cigarette lighter or match to heat up your key before inserting it into the lock 3) Spray commercial deicer into the key opening 4) Use a hair dryer to shoot warm heat at the lock.

Have your Playa West Automotive mechanic check your engine if you find that you are having problems that you just aren’t able to take care of yourself.