Winter is here, and it has brought snow gremlins.
Minnesota’s temperamental winter has added stress for drivers dealing with slick roadways, low tire pressure, gunked-up wheel wells and other issues that rise when temperatures drop.
Here’s a quick guide to winter vehicle maintenance for what is expected to be a snowier and colder than normal season:
Pick the ‘snow boogers’
Some call them “snow boogers” while others call them “snow gremlins,” but all Minnesotans recognize the dirty snow that builds up inside tire wells.
Danny Woods, store manager for Discount Tire in Maplewood, said cars often shake when accelerating after 4 to 10 inches of snow falls because snow packs into the wheel well and throws tires off-balance. To get rid of the problem, he said drivers should:
- Pick the snow boogers with a shovel or stick. Manufacturers often leave space in tire wells where drivers can clean out the gunk.
- Wash your car. Taking your vehicle through a car wash when it’s warm enough is a hands-free way to get rid of snow packed within tire wells.
- Bring it to a professional. If all else fails, take your car to a mechanic or auto professional who can clear it for you.
Check those tires
As owner and mechanic for Tuan Auto Repair in St. Paul, Raks Pham stays busy fixing about 20 cars a day. Some drivers call or visit his shop to get rid of snow boogers, but Pham said most winter fixes center on heating, brakes and tires.
Checking your suspension and aligning your tires “saves on wear of the tires to make it last as long as you can so you’re not spending $1,200 or $1,300 on new tires,” Pham said. “Tires will make a world of difference in snow and ice.”
At Discount Tire, Woods knows that well. He said the Maplewood location is the busiest in Minnesota, averaging about 120 cars a day throughout the year. That daily average surges to 250 cars during winter, making it “the busiest store in the country,” Woods said.
