Get Your Car Ready for Winter

Ok the easiest thing to do is take the car to a mechanic. Often local garages will have a winterizing special, to get your car ready for winter. But if you want to do it yourself here are some things to do.

1- Have (or do it yourself) the car tuned up. You want it running smoothly especially if you expect bad weather. Nothing sucks more than to be stranded on the side of the road in a blizzard.

2- Check all belts and make sure they don't need to be replaced. Most cars now have a single serpentine belt that runs everything. This is fine as long as it don't break on a snowy day.

3- Check your tires. Take a penny and put it headfirst between the treads. If you can still see the top of Lincoln's hair, get new tires. If you expect a lot of snow where you live, consider getting snow tires. It may not be a bad idea to have a set of tire snow chains in the trunk as well. Check your air pressure and make sure it's right on all the tires including the spare. Nobody thinks much about a spare until it's needed.

4- Check your battery. I would have it checked by an auto parts place or a mechanic if it's more than 3 years old. Check the water level in the battery and also check the battery cables and make sure they are clean. If in doubt replace the cables.

5- Check all rubber hoses. While the car is turned off and cool, run your hands along them to see if they are wet, or crunchy if they are, replace them.

6- Check the coolant in the radiator. You need a radio of 50-50 on anti freeze and water. Also you should have your radiator flushed every 1 to 2 years.

7- Replace your windshield wipers at least once a year. Make sure you fill the windshield cleaning reservoir with windshield cleaner, not water. Water will freeze.

8- Make sure all your lights work and make sure the heater and defroster works.

9- Have your breaks checked out.

10- Have the car detailed or at least washed and waxed after a heavy snow if you can. The salt used to help melt snow on the roads is murder on your car.

11- Put together a winter emergency kit in your trunk and leave it there at all times. You need a flashlight, a first aid kit, a towing chain, flares, a small shovel, ice scraper, blanket and extra boots, gloves and maybe an old coat or two. I would also include a radio and extra batteries (for the flashlight as well) and jumper cables for the car battery. I would also store some food that won't spoil crackers, energy bars, maybe canned food and a can opener.

12- Check all fluid levels in the car and do it often.

13- Make sure the car is properly aligned so it drives correctly.

14- Keep a full gas tank. One reason it will help prevent gas lines from freezing, another is that if you are stuck you need the gas to keep the car and the heater running. However be aware of carbon monoxide and don't stay a long period of time in a car that is running.

If you would like some safe winter driving tips check out the articles at associated content and the other car care guides as well. My own winter driving tips can be found at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/67244/safe_winter_driving_tips_how_to_drive.html