Prepare your motorhome for colder months with AMSOIL! TenEyck Distributing in Saint George, UT, offers winter RV maintenance tips for hassle-free travel below.
As the fall season ushers in cooler temperatures in Southern Utah, motorhome owners in the area must start preparing their vehicles for the colder months ahead. Whether you're planning a winter road trip or storing your motorhome for the off-season, proper maintenance is key to keeping it in peak condition.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a comprehensive fall and winter motorhome maintenance checklist, with a focus on how AMSOIL products can provide added protection and reliability during the cold months. Let's dive in!
One of the most important steps in winter RV maintenance is changing the engine oil. As temperatures drop, your motorhome's engine works harder, and the right engine oil can make a significant difference in how well it performs. Regular oil changes ensure that old, contaminated oil doesn’t compromise engine efficiency and durability.
Opt for a synthetic oil range, such as AMSOIL Signature Series Max-Duty Synthetic Diesel Oil or AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil, to provide superior cold-weather protection. These oils are formulated to withstand extreme temperatures, helping your motorhome's engine stay protected from wear and tear. AMSOIL’s synthetic oils have excellent viscosity stability, meaning they flow easily even in low temperatures, reducing engine startup friction and wear. This protection is crucial for winter RV maintenance, ensuring your engine remains well-lubricated when cold weather strikes.
Cold weather can also affect your motorhome's transmission, making it essential to check your transmission fluid before the temperatures start to dip. Low or contaminated transmission fluid can cause delayed or rough shifting, which is not something you want to experience while navigating winding roads in Southern Utah.
One of the common issues RV owners face during winter is fuel line freeze, particularly if the motorhome has been stored for an extended period without use. Fuel can thicken or even freeze in colder temperatures, making it difficult to start the engine.
Choosing and adding AMSOIL’s Diesel All-in-One Fuel Additive to your fuel tank before the temperature drops can help prevent this issue. This formula was developed to improve fuel flow during cold weather, prevent fuel line freezing, and boost engine startability. Additionally, it also cleans and lubricates fuel injectors, reducing the chances of carbon buildup that could harm engine performance during fall and winter.
For gas-powered motorhomes, AMSOIL Quickshot® fuel additive works wonders by cleaning and maintaining fuel system components and protecting against ethanol-related damage. Incorporating a fuel additive into your winter RV maintenance routine can make all the difference in ensuring your engine starts reliably and runs smoothly even when it’s cold outside.
Motorhome batteries are sensitive to temperature changes, and a weak or undercharged battery can quickly die in cold weather. Before fall turns into winter, check your battery's charge and perform routine maintenance to ensure it remains functional throughout the season.
If your motorhome will be in storage, make sure to disconnect the battery to prevent it from draining over time. You may also want to invest in a trickle charger to keep the battery in good condition while your RV is idle. For those planning to travel, regular battery checks should be part of your winter RV maintenance checklist.
Cold weather causes tire pressure to drop, which can lead to uneven tire wear and potentially dangerous driving conditions. As part of your fall and winter motorhome maintenance, check your tire set using AMSOIL’s Tire Pressure Gauge and Tire Depth Gauge to ensure that it’s within the manufacturer’s recommended range. This step is critical for maintaining traction on slippery or icy roads, which are more common in the colder months.