Prepare Your Car for Harsh Winter Months

Wintertime can be one of the most damaging seasons on your car. Not only can the Snow, Ice and low temperatures damage your car, but road salts can destroy your paint finish, as well as eat away at the metals your car is made from. So how can you prepare your car to deal with the harsh conditions winter provides?

One of the most important things to worry about during winter is your tires. Although tires wear much slower on snow and ice, it is extremely important to check that they are the right tires for the conditions as well as being in good condition. There are three main options for winter tires. First, All Season Tires (Which usually say M+S for mud and snow on the side walls) are a good compromise of year long traction. Second are specialized Winter Tires. They offer the best grip in the snow and ice, but require being remounted on your wheels, or buying a second set of wheels for winter time. This would be the best option for colder climates where snow is on the road often. The last option is chains, which work best in ice. Installing them involves just rolling them out, driving on them and hooking the chains around the wheels. They can damage your tires however, and can only be used on snow and ice and generally under 35 miles per hour.

The condition of the brakes should also be checked, and that the anti-lock (if equipped) system is in good order. The heater is another good item to have in good working order. Not only does it keep one from freezing to death stuck in a car, but it defrosts the windows and keeps the snow from freezing on the windshield, obstructing ones view. Its also a good idea to keep an eye on the windshield wiper fluid levels. Most stores or gas stations have special fluids for refilling, don't skimp and use water, it will just freeze on the windshield, making more ice that needs to be scraped off. The formulated stuff actually melts the ice. RainX is a great brand to use which also puts a coating on he windshield that makes water slide off easier when it's not freezing. RainX also makes a product for the inside of the windows that keeps them from fogging up.

When on the road, the salt that DOT uses to melt the snow, can eat away at your cars paint, and can accelerate the rusting under your car. It's generally a good practice to at least rinse the salt off the car (yes I know its cold), and after the last snow be sure to pressure wash the bottom of the car to get all the salt off. The hand held pressure washers at cash washes work best since you can get in around the wheel wells and under the bumpers.

These few quick points can help keep you and your car safe, and in good condition through the winter, no matter what climate you live in.