Tips How To Winterize Your Car

Oprah Winfrey once said that, “Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.” So, if you want to stay “lucky” this winter season, you should begin preparing for old man winter now. A good place to start is winterizing your car or truck.

Winterizing Your Car Checklist

The following are “winter-specific” maintenance jobs. Consider these an addition to your regular or annual maintenance - like inspecting brakes, checking the oil, inspecting spark plug wires and cleaning your battery posts. If you are mechanically challenged, you should begin by making an appointment at your favorite repair facility.

Check Antifreeze: Make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50% water and 50% antifreeze. Many service stations and repair centers will check this mixture free, or you can buy a tester for just a few dollars.

Check Tire Treads: Selecting winter tires for your car. Check the tread depth. Remember the old penny test? Now, it’s recommended that you use a quarter instead. That insures 4/32” of tread for winter safety. If you drive where the weather is particularly harsh, you may want to consider snow tires.

Check Tire Pressure: Tires lose pressure in cold weather. So, you may need to add a little now and then. Properly inflated tires also ensure good contact with the road and protect the wheels from damage caused by potholes. It's worth the trouble to consult your owner's manual for the list of recommended pressures.

Check Windshield Wipers: Being able to actually see the road is a good thing. You’ll want to test or replace old wiper blades to make sure that white stuff falling from the sky doesn’t block your view.

Check Window Washing Fluid: You'll be using lots more in the winter months. Also, only use “washer fluid”. Water will freeze.

Winterproof Your Car for Emergencies

1. Your cell phone just may turn out to be the most important item in your possession in an emergency. Make sure that you have a car charger as well.

It’s also a good idea to keep the following items in your vehicle at all times. This way, you'll always be prepared for most emergencies.

2. Flashlight and extra batteries.
3. Shovel
4. Hat and gloves
5. Blankets
6. Extra clothing
7. Jumper cables
8. Ice Scraper with brush and long handle
9. First aid kit

If you travel great distances, in remote areas during severe weather conditions and need to be prepared for anything and everything; (like being lost or stranded) you might want to add these to your list.

1. Case of bottled water
2. Food that won't spoil, such as dried fruit & canned goods
3. Manual can opener and basic eating utensils
4. Whistle
5. Compass
6. Candles, matches, and a deep can to hold candles
7. Toilet paper and other personal care supplies
8. Road flares
9. Knife (a Swiss army knife is excellent for emergencies)
10. Some small bills and coins
11. List of emergency contact numbers on the cell phone

When you consider that humans can live, in the harshest conditions, without food for 3 weeks, water for 3 days and shelter for 3 hours; being prepared will most likely prove to be more helpful than hoping to get “lucky”.

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