Nov 29, 2025

A tune-up is a type of maintenance that improves your Chevy’s performance and protects it against potential problems. As your Chevy dealership, we want to tell you about some of the reasons why you should get one before winter arrives.

3 Reasons You Should Get a Tune-Up at Your Chevy Dealership Before Winter

Prevent a Dead Battery

Low temperatures greatly reduce battery performance. Below 0°F, a battery can lose 30 to 35% of its capacity, and if your battery is more than three years old, it can weaken even further. Your engine also takes longer to start in winter, and this extra effort can cause a relatively new battery to weaken, or an older battery to fail.

Our technicians will test your battery using our computerized battery tester. This device subjects the battery to the same demands needed to start the engine. A healthy battery has a voltage of 12.6V, and during the test, it should show a voltage of at least 9.6V. If the tester reading shows less than this, your battery is failing. We’ll replace your old battery to prevent you from being stranded on the road waiting for a tow or jump-start.

Protect Your Engine

It may be cold outside, but combustion and the movement of countless parts continue to generate large amounts of heat inside the engine. This heat can damage sensitive engine components like gaskets and seals, so it must be removed ASAP. Coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water, and it’s able to absorb heat and transport it to the radiator for removal through heat exchange.

As coolant ages, it becomes less efficient at removing heat. This causes the engine temperature to rise and can result in major damage even during winter. Older coolant can also become corrosive and damage the radiator, water pump, and other components. We’ll test the coolant and replace it if necessary to ensure your engine continues to work efficiently.

Maintain Good Traction

Deep tread is vital for safe driving as it allows the tires to grip the road surface securely. This is even more important during winter, as snow and ice make it challenging for tires to get good traction, and your Chevy could skid. We’ll examine your tires and recommend replacing any that have worn or damaged tread.

For extra safety, it’s advisable to replace your all-season tires with snow tires. All-season tires can become inflexible at low temperatures, which also reduces traction. Snow tires, on the other hand, are made from softer rubber, so they can’t become inflexible at low temperatures.

If you’d like to know more about preparing your Chevy for winter or schedule a service, contact us today at Mangino Chevrolet in Amsterdam, NY.