08/27/2026
What no one tells you about West Michigan winters: your car starts letting you down before the first snowflake hits.
Road salt, freeze-thaw cycles, and dropping temperatures all hit your vehicle at the same time. By the time the first real storm arrives, the damage is already done.
Here's what our mechanics say to check before November:
Tires — All-season tires lose grip below 45°F. Winter tires use a softer rubber compound built specifically for cold and ice.
Brakes — Stopping distance on ice is double what you're used to. Get them looked at before you need them.
Battery — Cold cuts battery capacity fast. If yours is 3+ years old, have it tested now.
Oil — Ask Dan whether your engine benefits from a lower-viscosity oil in winter. Not every car does, but some do.
Wiper blades — Switch to winter blades before the first blizzard, not during it.
We can go through all of this in one appointment.
📞 (616) 878-5991 | tillemaauto.com/request-an-appointment
