Winter weather presents challenges to both drivers and their vehicles. Tire Broker and Auto Service of San Francisco recommends winterizing vehicles to help keep drivers and their cars out of trouble.

San Francisco, CA

Winter weather is here, and judging by the number of emergency vehicles on the freeway, people don’t seem prepared. Tire Broker and Auto Service of the SOMA neighborhood in San Francisco offers advice to vehicle owners to help keep them and their cars out of trouble.

#1 Inspect Tires - The National Highway Transportation Safety Board requires tire treads of at least 2/32" of depth. Tire Broker and Auto Service recommends at least 1/8" tread depth in the winter for added safety.

“Tire tread depth can be checked using the old penny test,” says Jojo Bayabo, owner of Tire Broker and Auto Service. Bayabo instructs people to take a penny and pinch Abe's body between the thumb and forefinger. Then put Lincoln's head into the lowest tread groove on the tire. If any part of Abe Lincoln's head is obscured by the tread, the tire has a legal and safe amount of tread. If the area above Abe’s head is visible, where it says "In God We Trust," it’s time for new tires.

#2 Good windshield wipers and the right washer fluid are critical for driving in the rain or snow. Old wiper blades don’t improve visibility, and may even further impair it. New wiper blades keep a windshield clean and safe.

“Keep the washer fluid topped off so that mud splattering on the windshield can be washed off and not just smeared around,” says Bayabo. “Tire Broker fills washer fluid reservoirs with fluid that doesn’t freeze.”

#3 Antifreeze is an essential part of a vehicle’s winter protection. Antifreeze is usually sold as a concentrated solution that contains chemicals that don't get fully activated until mixed with water. It's not really necessary to have an exact 50% blend of water and antifreeze, but it is important to make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50/50. Many service stations and repair centers will check this mixture for free, or testers are available for around $5.

“Flush and replace coolant annually,” says Bayabo. “Coolant breaks down over time, and that puts stress on the radiator, and can make the engine run hotter than normal. Prolonged use of bad coolant can lead to damage to the vehicle and shorten the life of the engine.”

For more information about winter vehicle maintenance or any other Tire Broker and Auto Service’s auto repair services, call (415) 675-8133, visit their landing page, or drop by their shop located at 888 Folsom Street in San Francisco.

About Tire Broker and Auto Service

Tire Broker and Auto Service San Francisco is an import auto mechanic that specializes in tire sales and Japanese and European auto repair and maintenance. The shop, run by owner Jojo Bayabo, is described by many former and current customers on Yelp and CitySearch with glowing admiration and appreciation.