From navigating icy switchbacks on the Siskiyou Pass to dealing with baking hot summer days that regularly hit 95 degrees, driving in Ashland can be challenging. Add in weekend trips to Crater Lake and sudden weather changes that can shift from sunny to stormy in minutes, and you’ve got conditions that can test any vehicle. Smart seasonal car care can save you hundreds on surprise repairs, keep your family safe on the road, and help your vehicle last longer. Our technicians at Butler Ford are your go-to experts for keeping your car running smoothly in any weather.
Winter Driving Prep: Stay Safe When the Temperature Drops
When the first cold snap hits, your car battery loses capacity. At just 32 degrees, the battery loses 20% of its power. When temperatures fall to 22 degrees below zero, battery strength gets cut in half. Cold weather thickens your engine oil, forcing your already-weakened battery to work overtime to turn the engine over. Older batteries, especially those 3-5 years old, can really struggle when the mercury drops below freezing.
Don’t ignore the warning signs, such as slow cranking instead of a quick turnover or headlights that look dimmer than usual. If you’re hearing a sluggish crank on a frosty Oregon morning, your battery may be about to die and could leave you stranded in the Safeway parking lot.
Your tires are your only contact with the road during winter. Oregon Department of Transportation crash data shows that December has topped the charts for car accidents in Oregon over the past three years. Cold air causes tires to lose pressure as it contracts in lower temperatures, affecting your grip on slick roads.
Studded tires grip well on pure ice but perform worse in other winter conditions. Modern traction tires offer comparable performance on ice while working much better in slush, snow, and wet conditions. Always check your tire pressure first thing in the morning when the tires are cold for an accurate reading. Stick to the pressure indicated on your door jamb sticker, not what’s on the tire itself.
Remember to carry an emergency kit in your car. Your winter survival pack should include:
- Emergency weather radio
- Warm clothes and blankets
- Ice scraper with brush
- Compact folding shovel
- Kitty litter or sand
- Jumper cables
- First aid kit
- Portable jump starter
- Flashlight with fresh batteries
- Reflective triangles
- Protein bars and water
Our service team can run a quick battery load test, check your heating system, and set you up with genuine Motorcraft parts designed for Oregon’s brutal winter conditions.
Summer Driving Prep: Beat the Heat and Avoid Breakdowns
Summer heat puts stress on your car’s cooling system. Your engine operates best between 195 and 220 degrees. If the engine temperature climbs above 220 degrees, engine damage is possible. Your cooling system works as part of a team:
- The radiator acts as a heat exchanger.
- Coolant (antifreeze mixed with water) carries heat away from engine parts.
- The water pump circulates coolant throughout the system.
- The thermostat regulates flow.
- Cooling fans blow air through the radiator.
Cars usually overheat for predictable reasons, such as low coolant levels, clogged radiators, stuck thermostats, worn water pumps, or failed cooling fans.
Your car’s air-conditioning (AC) system requires maintenance before summer hits. A car parked in direct sunlight can reach interior temperatures exceeding 130 degrees. Schedule an AC check with our service department in the spring. Our technicians look for worn components, clean hard-to-reach parts where debris collects, verify refrigerant levels for maximum cooling power, and test the entire system.
Remember to replace your cabin air filter regularly to maintain optimal airflow, and use the recirculate button during hot weather. Your AC works much harder cooling fresh hot air from outside than when it recirculates air that has already been cooled.
Summer heat affects everything in your car. Hot temperatures turn rubber belts and hoses brittle, making them crack unexpectedly. Heat also breaks down fluids faster. The sun damages interiors, too — high temperatures can warp and split dashboards, crack leather seats, fade cloth upholstery, and melt plastic parts. Protect your ride by parking in the shade, using windshield sunshades, applying UV protectant to leather and vinyl surfaces, and considering window tinting for long-term protection. Our dealership offers thorough seasonal checkups that can catch small problems before they become major issues.
Stay Ready, No Matter the Forecast
Seasonal car care protects your hard-earned investment and keeps your family safe on southern Oregon’s challenging roads. Preventive maintenance saves you three to nine times what you’d spend fixing things after they break down. Emergency repairs typically cost between $350 and $700 per incident, plus daily downtime costs ranging from $448 to $760 while you’re searching for alternate transportation or dealing with towing fees.
Skipped maintenance contributes to 5% of all vehicle accidents annually, with the risk jumping significantly during seasonal transitions when road conditions change quickly. Your car needs to handle mountain passes, sudden elevation changes, and the kind of weather swings that can catch even experienced drivers off guard.
Seasonal car care benefits stretch beyond seasonal driving. Consistent seasonal maintenance can add thousands of miles to your car’s life. Well-maintained vehicles hold their value significantly better at trade-in time, too, often commanding hundreds or even thousands more than neglected cars. Regular maintenance boosts performance, improves gas mileage, and reduces harmful emissions that affect our beautiful mountain air quality.
Schedule Seasonal Maintenance at Butler Ford Today
Whether you’re planning a winter trip to Mt. Ashland or a summer coastal vacation, we’ll create a maintenance plan that fits your vehicle’s needs and your budget. Don’t wait until you break down — schedule your seasonal inspection today. Give our service department in Ashland a call today, and drive confidently all year long.
