Top 10 Ways to Winterize Your Car

It's that time of year again and you know that it won't be to much longer till the first snows come.

Along with the snow, winter is the season for cars breaking down but this doesn't have to be the fate of your car if you just take some precautions.

Just a little bit of prevention can not only result in a well running car but the savings you'll have from not having to get it repaired will be substantial.

Even if you're not mechanically inclined these simple preventative steps are very easy.

In other words if you can pump gas you can do this.

1, Probably the single most important thing you can do for your car is to always be vigilant in regards to motor-oil. Especially so in winter as a higher viscosity or (thickness) can become even thicker in freezing temperatures resulting in poor lubrication of the engine. If oil isn't circulating properly it can cause any number of extremely expensive problems.

It would be a good idea to check your oil level, or even better than that, go and have the oil in your car changed. This is not expensive and can save you thousands of dollars.

2, The next thing on your maintenance list should be your cars battery. It would be a good idea to have the battery tested at a garage or even in some shops that sell automotive parts. Usually, this service is either done for free or for a very nominal fee. Yet it can save you from being stuck on the side of the road in the sleet, slush and snow.

You may also want to check the battery connections for oxidation. Oxidation can be white or greenish and will appear on the battery posts. It is true that you can clear off a lot of oxidation with some Coca-Cola but this is not an adequate fix and it's probably better to just clean off the battery posts before winter really gets going.

3, You should absolutely check the radiator fluid to make sure that it's topped off. If it's low you'll have to buy some radiator fluid and mix pour a 50/50 water and radiator fluid mixture into the radiator.

Also, before anyone asks, no you can NOT use plane water, that trick might work during summer but during the winter months everything in your radiator can freeze and if the fluids aren't circulating you can end up with many of the same problems that lack of motor-oil can cause.

4, How long has it been since you had your spark-plug wires changed? Well, those get old and worn out too and can also leave you stranded on the roadside. You can purchase a new set of wires for relatively little money. For that matter, how long has it been since your spark-plugs were last changed?

5, While you're checking things under the hood you might as well check the water hoses. Replenishing all that coolant won't do you any good if you have a busted hose with water and steam pouring out from under the hood. This is an easy fix and it won't even cost you $10. A word of advice, after you have the hoses changed you might want to put them in a plastic bag and just toss them in your trunk. This way if something should happen to the new hoses you've got a spare that you can switch out at a moments notice and it absolutely isn't hard. The only thing to watch out for is hot radiator fluid. If you just broke down you will want to be very careful undoing the hoses as hot radiator fluid can come rushing out, burning you in the process so use your best judgment.

6, Another thing you'll need to check under the hood are the belts, if you see any small cracks in the belt(s) then get them changed. Some cars only have one serpentine belt while other cars have several belts. This is something that I don't recommend that you do by yourself unless you know your way around an engine. Luckily none of these preventative repairs will be very expensive and the savings are huge compared to getting something repaired after it breaks.

If you think I'm joking about repairs being expensive you are very sadly mistaken. Lets say that you didn't check the oil levels in your car and the engine is not lubricated. You may very well end up with a seized engine that will have to be replaced. Think about that, you can either spend around $200 on prevention or $2500 for repairs. The choice is entirely yours.

7, Next we have something that most people neglect to check and that's the windshield wipers. If you can't see, especially during a snow storm, you can end up with a destroyed car or even a destroyed life. Wipers seldom cost more than $20 anyway.

8, Be sure to check the windshield wiper fluid as it has anti-freezing properties. This stuff is very important as it will cut through ice and snow. Once again, don't use plain water as it will freeze up and you'll effectively end up with no fluid as it will be in the form of an ice brick.

We're slowly coming to the end of our check-list so don't worry.

9, A very important item that should be checked often during the entire year. I'm talking about your tires. Is the tread worn down? Is there a nail or screw sticking out through the rubber? Is there a strange bulging area on the tire? If you answered yes to any of the above you should either have your tires replaced or fixed. Either way, make sure you check your tires often, breaking down is not only unpleasant but it can be dangerous. If you blow a tires while driving, especially driving on ice and snow, you can end up causing a very nasty accident. So check the tread and the tire pressure. Check your cars owners manual to check what tire pressure is recommended for your specific car.

10, Since you're already down there checking your tires you you might as well check your breaks. If there is a break-dust covering everything then clean it off, if the pads look thin then have them changed. Your breaks are not an item you want to be trying to save money on as your life depends on them.

It takes so little energy and money to keep your car running well throughout the winter that there really isn't a good reason not to do it.