Winterizing Your Car: A Thorough Guide, from Brakes to Mufflers

As much as we hate to admit it, before long the weather outside may be frightful, are you ready. Here I have outlined a step-by-step guide to keeping you safe this winter while driving your vehicle. Please note, that all the points listed are crucial, and not listed in order of importance. The winter season is without question the toughest time for our vehicles. With some preparation and preventative maintenance things can go a lot smoother and safer for you, your passengers, and other motorist on the road.

Brakes
you probably did not expect me to start off talking about your vehicle's brakes. I decided to mention this first because it is very easily overlooked when winterizing your vehicle. Your car's ability to stop is import all the time and winter driving brings on conditions that merit making mention of brakes. A vehicles braking needs to be equalized and not pulling to one side or the other as this will cause skidding. These conditions are not always noticeable from the driver's seat in normal driving conditions. However, when you hit the brakes on a slippery surface and one wheel locks up this can be very troublesome and dangerous. It is suggested to have your brakes checked before the winter season sets in.

Tires
Snow tires or all season tires with good tread on all four wheels are suitable for most conditions and regions. If you're uncertain of the best tire for the conditions in your area check with the certified technician or tire shop. Tire pressure is also very important. Not only does it effect fuel economy, but also effects traction in the winter months. It is suggested that you check your tire pressure every week or two until you get a feel for how it changes according to the temperature. The recommended tire pressure will be found in your owner's manual for the vehicle and sometimes on the side of the tire itself in very small print. The tire pressure will drop 1 pound per square inch or one psi for every 5°C temperature drops below freezing. A gauge to check your tire pressure is a inexpensive and worthwhile investment. Some locations, but not too many still have a full-service gas station around where they will pump your gas, check your oil and even check the pressure in your tires.

Engine
If your vehicle is due for a tuneup have it done before winter sets in. Faulty wiring, worn-out sparkplugs, a sticky choke (not real common anymore) or emission components that need attention not only cause your vehicle to be difficult starting, it will use more fuel, run bad and have a much greater chance of leaving you stranded out in the cold. A diagnostic test of your engine is a good investment. Often times it can bring things to your attention that need repaired before they lead to very costly repairs. It's similar to our health and getting sick, it's much easier to fix the problem if we catch it early on. Your vehicle is no different, if problems are ignored, they cause other parts to wear out causeing very costly repairs. I understand money is tight at times, but putting repairs off is not doing yourself any favors, and will just cost you more in the long run, or leave you and your loved ones out in the bitter cold. This is also a very good time to inspect your belts and hoses.

Oil and filter
This is a big pet peeve of mine. It is cheaper to change your car's oil and filter than to replace the engine. You want to pay close attention to make sure you have the right type of oil, not so much the cheapest but you want the proper weight as well and viscosity. You can check your owner's manual to verify the oil recommended for your vehicle. When the temperature drops outside oil gets thicker making it more difficult for your car's engine to crank over and start. Dirty motor oil and filter can make this even worse. Keeping up with your vehicle's oil changes is an integral part of making your vehicle last a long time.

Cooling system
If it has been a long time since your cooling system has been serviced it would be a good idea to have it drained and flushed with a chemical solution and refilled with new coolant. A 50-50 mixture of coolant and water is recommended to assure that your engine coolant does not freeze even in the most extreme winter conditions.

Heater, defroster and wipers
Make sure all these components are working properly and fully functional before winter arrives. It's Recommended to install winter wiper blades along with washer fluid that does not freeze. Keeping your windshield clean and having a clear view of the road and traffic around you are vital and more challenging during the winter months.

Mufflers, tailpipes and exhaust
Inspect the exhaust system including mufflers and tailpipes or even a catalytic converter or two from front to back for signs of leakage or missing parts. During the winter months we drive with the windows up a whole lot more and are subject to carbon monoxide poisoning. So be sure and include your exhaust system on the checklists for your vehicle this winter. This is another area that is easily overlooked but can cause so many problems if we don't address them.

Battery
Cold weather is very hard on batteries. A dead battery is at the top of the list on winter driving problems. It would be a good idea to have your battery checked. If it is several years old it may even need replaced. Additionally, make sure all the connections are clean and tight. Keep an eye out for faulty wiring as well, this can cause a lot of headaches. Often times wires work their way loose, or they lay up against the hot engine and burn through. Many things can happen over time and when you're checking the oil or anything else under the hood it is a good idea to just glance over things, make sure there's no wires off or anything that looks like it may need repaired.

The fuel tank
Keeping your fuel tank full as much as possible helps to prevent condensation on the inside of the tank. Condensation caused by the cool temperatures creates water, therefore causing fuel line freeze up. It is recommended to keep as much fuel as possible in your tank during the winter months and adding a fuel line anti- freeze once in a while ,especially during the bitter cold times. It is best to try to keep your vehicle above a half of tank to prevent fuel line freeze up.

Frozen door locks
Here is an interesting problem. The locks are frozen and you can't get in the vehicle. If you force the key into the lock often times when the key is twisted it breaks off in the lock. The old remedy used to be hot water, but that's not always available. A simple solution to this problem is glycerin. It is sold in auto parts stores, discount stores, drug stores, minimarts and gas stations just to name a few. A word to the wise: do not put the glycerin in the glove box of the car because that will not do you any good if you are locked outside of your car and the answer to the problem is your glove box locked inside the car. This stuff is very inexpensive and easy to find. I would suggest having some available in the garage at home and perhaps some in your desk at work. This way if your locks freeze up your not stuck out in the cold.

Emergency kit
If you don't already have an emergency kit in your car, consider putting together a few basics and storing them in the trunk. Of course, you will want to have a spare tire and all the tools necessary to change it. You may also want to consider having a few other items in case you slide off the road and get stuck. Here are just a few items I have found handy to have around in such times.
Flares
Blankets
Boots
Radio
Engine oil
Coolant
Washer fluid
Flashlight
Jumper cables

One final thought, when you take the time to winterize your vehicle, you become more comfortable with driving in the winter weather. Make it an annual ritual to winterize your car. Not only will you improve your overall safety, but your vehicle's reliability as well.