5 Ways to Winter-Wise Your Car

By Brooke Gilchrist, Enterprise Car Sales

Winter weather can be a challenge for any vehicle, but a little advance preparation can help prevent getting caught in the cold.  Taking preventative steps can also save you a lot of time, money and aggravation.  According to experienced mechanics and accredited Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) technicians who work with Enterprise Car Sales, a good place to start is by referring to your owner’s manual and adhering to all of the guidelines and recommendations specifically written for your vehicle.

1.  Systems Checklist.  Inspect wiper blades and make sure windshield washers are working and washer fluid reservoirs are full. Ask a service technician to check the battery for load capacity, as well as all belts and hoses for softness and wear.

2.  Warranty Repairs. Keep up-to-date with every preventive maintenance check detailed in your vehicle owner’s manual. Failing to adhere to specific use and preventive maintenance guidelines established by the manufacturer may jeopardize your warranty coverage.

3.  Tire Maintenance.  Use a quality air pressure gauge to check pressure at least once a week. Correct tire pressure helps extend tire tread life and gas mileage and contributes to good traction and handling. Rotating tires regularly will also extend the tire life further, especially for front wheel drive vehicles.

4.  Engine Oil.  Always use an oil equivalent to one rated by the API (Automotive Petroleum Institute) and recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. This will assist in starting on cold days and help you get the most from your vehicle.

5.  Gasoline Selection.  The gas you choose can directly affect cost and performance.  Gasoline that is too low in octane can drastically affect vehicle performance, while gasoline that is too high in octane can drive up expenses unnecessarily.

Purchasing an automobile can be an intimidating process. Credit unions should make sure they are educating their members to take away their fear…and take in more loans while providing the very best member service.

Brooke Gilchrist is National Business Development Manager for Enterprise Car Sales and can be reached at brooke.gilchrist@enterprisecarsales.com. Enterprise Car Sales, which has sold more than one million used cars, has more than 130 U.S. locations. Its tailored used-car buying programs create opportunities for credit unions to increase their used-car loan portfolio and optimize member loyalty. As a result of partnering with credit unions during the past 30 years, Enterprise Car Sales has helped generate almost $10 billion in loan volume for more than a thousand credit unions nationwide.

For more information about how Enterprise Car Sales partners with credit unions, visit http://www.enterprisecarsales.com/perfectpartnership or e-mail Brooke Gilchrist at brooke.gilchrist@enterprisecarsales.co