Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter

Every fall, it’s a good idea to assess your vehicle to prepare for the winter months.

Snow, ice, high winds and freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on your vehicle during this time. When prepping for winter you’ll of course want to make sure your tires, brakes and windshield wipers are in good shape. But it’s also important to remember your filtration needs. Here are three tips to consider.

1. Start with the Right Oil Filtration.

Selecting the right oil filter is crucial for engine protection and performance.

Ever notice the first time you start your engine on a winter day, it’s slow and sluggish? That’s because oil thickens as it cools and on that first start, an oil pressure surge forces the thick, cold oil into your engine and through the filter. This cold surge can make engine parts vulnerable to stress and damage.

It’s a good idea to choose a filter that is designed for higher flow efficiency and guards against cold oil pressure spikes. This helps deliver needed protection in the winter from the moment you turn on the ignition until you park for the night.

Specifically, FRAM Ultra Synthetic®, FRAM Tough Guard®, and FRAM Extra Guard® filters provide advanced protection in winter conditions and work well with synthetic oil, which doesn’t thicken as much in extreme cold like conventional oils. Higher flow filters like these will help the oil pump cycle the oil more freely as it warms up.

2. Remember Engine Air Filtration.

In the winter, road salt joins other particles like dirt and dust that can enter through the air intake and threaten to damage your engine. This makes your air filter the main line of defense against harmful airborne particulates.

That’s why you should always change your air filter at regular intervals (about every 12 months) and choose one with high filtration efficiency and durability.

3. Keep Your Cabin Comfortable.

Your cabin air filter is also important during winter.

When it’s cold out, you’ll be running your vehicle’s heating system more often. Like the engine air filter, the cabin air filter can become saturated with dust, dirt and allergens. A clogged cabin air filter strains the HVAC system, making your heater work even harder to keep you and your passengers warm.

Furthermore, a clogged filter allows those harmful particles to enter the passenger compartment. This is why the cabin air filter should be changed every 12 months or 12,000 miles. This ensures you’re keeping the cabin air clean and optimizing your vehicle’s heating system at the same time.

With these steps, your vehicle and passengers will be ready to take on the challenges of winter.

To learn more about quality engine oil, engine air and cabin air filtration products, visit fram.com.

Questions? We're here to help. Reach out the FRAM specialists for product and maintenance support.

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