Most Important Steps to Winterize Your Car

The days are getting shorter, and the nights are getting colder. It is fall again, and you have a laundry list of chores to complete before winter sets in. You will want to winterize your home to save electricity, but also your vehicle for various reasons relating to reliability, efficiency and performance. The extreme temperatures in summer and winter months both call for unique attention to your automobiles. Here are tips to keep the components of your car or truck as safe, reliable and efficient as possible this winter.

Add alcohol to your wiper fluid

The regular formulation of windshield wiper fluid isn't much good for temperatures under 32 degrees Fahrenheit. You can buy different formulations with lower freezing points from any store, but they will cost slightly more, and the only difference in most instances is the addition of alcohol to the mixture. By adding alcohol to regular windshield washer fluid you will not only save money, but have the opportunity to target the ratio to average lows in your region. Washer fluid with alcohol not only freezes slower, but aids in removing ice from your windshield. Having your wiper fluid reservoir full is even more important in the winter when slush and other grime coats the roadways.

Routine Oil Change

You should be getting ready for a routine oil change anyway, and bad engine lubrication is a leading cause of problems in the winter. This is also the time of year that you may want to consider switching to lower viscosity oil. The colder it gets, the thicker your oil will run. It isn't always necessary, but a lot of mechanics recommend switching from a 10w30 weight to a 5w30 or even 5w20 weight oil. The first number is the viscosity of the oil in a cold engine, the second is the viscosity level in a hot engine, and higher numbers indicate thicker oil. Always refer to your owner's manual or recommendation from your dealership, and never deviate very much from what is specified.

Engine Coolant

Engine coolant keeps your engine from overheating, and protects against corrosion. While stock anti-freeze mixed at the proper ratio is fine for most parts of the country, you will want to check manufacturer's specifications for the correct type of coolant, and check the coolant's mixture ratio and freezing point to make sure your mix will handle the most extreme temperatures possible in your region. Regular water will definitely freeze, and a mix of 60 percent coolant, 40 percent water is a good ratio for most types of coolants in even the coldest winter months.

Take Care of your battery

The cold weather affects your battery more than about any other component on your vehicle. You need to clean all the corrosion from the posts and check the connections around the terminals. Use a multimeter to measure your battery's ability to hold a charge. If a cell is damaged, your battery is more than three years old or you have had to boost this particular battery in the past, I recommend replacing it before the weather turns.

Check Tire Wear and Pressure

Warm weather causes air to expand, and the opposite is true for cold weather. Use a gauge to make sure your tires are at the recommended pressure even when it is cold outside. Besides snow and ice, the cold temperatures also cause your tires to get harder. Hard tires offer less traction, so good tread is even more crucial in the winter.

Stock Emergency Items for winter

No matter what you do, there is always the chance you could still find yourself broken down beside the road. In the worst case scenario, you could be stranded far from civilization in a dead cell service area. I recommend putting some adding some extra warm blankets, a winter jacket, a can of spray de-icer, maybe some kitty litter and some snow chains to your break down kit. Spray de-icer will immediately melt ice where ever you spray it. Melting the ice around your wheels is sometimes enough to get traction when you are stuck. Having the supplies to keep warm can be the difference between life and death, and lack of preparation has proved fatal much too often to take chances.