$99 Winter Full Check — we go through the whole car before the cold hits: battery, tires, brakes, antifreeze, belts, hoses, heat and defrost, wipers, lights and fluids. You get a written report of what’s good, what can wait and what shouldn’t. Any make or model. No upselling: the $99 is the check; nothing else gets done without your OK.
What the $99 Winter Full Check includes
- Battery & charging system test — cold is the #1 battery killer. We load-test the battery, check the alternator output and clean the terminals so you’re not stuck on a January morning.
- Tires — tread depth on all four, pressure set for cold weather, uneven wear and sidewall damage, and an honest opinion on whether you need winter or all-season tires.
- Brakes — pad and rotor measurements, brake fluid condition, visual check of lines and calipers. Measurements go on your report so you know how much life is left.
- Antifreeze / coolant — freeze-point test (how low it protects to), level, condition, and a look at the radiator, hoses and clamps.
- Belts & hoses — cracks, glazing and soft spots that fail in the cold.
- Heater & defroster — heat output, blower on every speed, defrost airflow, cabin air filter.
- Wipers & washer system — blade condition, washer fluid topped with winter (freeze-resistant) fluid, nozzle spray.
- Lights — headlights, high beams, brake, tail, turn signals, reverse and fog lights.
- Fluids — oil level and condition, transmission, power steering and brake fluid checked and topped where appropriate.
- Under the car — exhaust leaks, steering and suspension play, CV boots, leaks, and the condition of the undercarriage before road salt season.
- Computer scan — quick scan for stored trouble codes, so a check-engine light doesn’t surprise you at inspection time.
- Written report — green / yellow / red for every item, with photos of anything we flag and an itemized quote only for the red items.
Why do it before winter, not after
- A battery that tests weak in October is the one that dies in the first deep freeze. A $99 check beats a tow.
- Coolant that doesn’t protect low enough can crack an engine block or radiator. Testing it takes two minutes.
- Worn tires and brakes are inconvenient in summer and dangerous on ice.
- If something does need work, you get to schedule it on your terms instead of in an emergency.
The check is $99 for any make or model — Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Chevy, Jeep, Subaru, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW and everything else. If you decide to have us do a repair we flag, the repair is quoted separately in writing first. Have a dealer estimate for the same work? We typically do it for 30–50% less.
How it works
- Book online or call. Most days we can do it while you wait; plan on about 45 minutes.
- We run the full checklist above and write everything down with measurements and photos.
- You get the report and a straight answer: what’s fine, what to watch, and what we’d fix before winter, with a price for each.
- You decide. Fix it now, fix it later, or take the report elsewhere. The $99 covers the check, nothing more.
Common questions
What does the $99 winter check include?
Battery and charging test, tires, brakes, antifreeze freeze-point test, belts and hoses, heater and defroster, wipers and washer fluid, lights, fluid levels, an under-car inspection and a computer scan for trouble codes, plus a written green/yellow/red report.
Is $99 the whole price?
Yes. $99 covers the complete check and the written report. Any repair we recommend is quoted separately, in writing, and only done with your approval.
Does it include an oil change?
No, but we check the oil level and condition and can add an oil change to the same visit if it’s due.
Do you do the winter check on BMW, Mercedes, Audi and VW?
Yes, any make or model. For German cars we use factory-level diagnostic tools for the computer scan and battery test.
How long does it take?
About 45 minutes. Book online or call, and in most cases you can wait for it.
When should I do it?
October through early December is ideal, before the first hard freeze. Any time is better than after your battery dies in a parking lot.
$99 winter car check near you in Wayne, NJ
RS Auto Werks, 145 Garside Ave, Wayne, NJ 07470 — minutes from Route 23 and Route 46, serving Wayne, Totowa, Little Falls, Woodland Park, Pequannock, Pompton Lakes, Lincoln Park, Fairfield, Franklin Lakes, Kinnelon, Montville, Cedar Grove, Clifton and Paterson.