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9 ways to prepare your car for winter
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The Holiday season is upon us and everyone is in good cheer. I can think of one individual in your life, however, who despises this time of year: your car. For the majority of Americans who reside in cold weather climates, the winter months are brutal on your car. From sub-freezing temperatures to frozen precipitation, salt and chemicals, vehicles take an unmerciful beating that should be reserved for prizefighters and scrambled eggs. Neglect your car during this period and you risk irreversible damage to your engine and drivetrain as well as irreversible damage to your car’s body and frame. Here are five tips for “winterizing your car” that will pay big dividend now and for the long haul..jpg)
Get that major service done. You put off that $500 major maintenance service in lieu of a new set of rims. Now that ticking sound from your engine compartment has you panicking. Don’t put it off any longer. It’s a pill, but knuckle down and get your major service done. Besides keeping your car in good running condition, it could uncover hidden issues that will be exacerbated during cold weather.
Change your oil. Manufacturers recommend changing your oil every three to five thousand miles. Regardless of your chosen change interval, you might consider replacing your current oil with one better suited to cold weather. Lower viscosity oils, typically categorized with a 5W or 10W rating, are thinner, stand up better to lower temperatures and generally provide better engine protection when outside temps dip below 40 degrees.
Check tires. Your tires are filled with air and if you remember anything from 9th grade Physics, that air contracts when its colder. This means that the tire you filled up back in August may now be significantly underinflated. Some experts recommend slight underinflation during the winter months to improve traction on slick roads, but it is important to remain within a safe range that minimizes uneven wear to your tires. Be sure to get a good tire gauge from your local auto parts store and then check your owner’s manual for recommended tire pressure. Check your treads as well. Bald tires will do you no good when the road ices over
Change wiper blades. We’ve all been there. A fresh snow has fallen and your local DOT chases it with a generous layer of salt. As you drive, the road spray covers your window and when you activate your wipers, they smear the salty mixture all over the windshield, obscuring your vision even more. Wiper blades are a relatively inexpensive but oft-neglected part that can pose a real safety hazard when not properly functioning. Put on a fresh pair during the winter months, top off your wiper fluid and for wagon, SUV and hatchback drivers, don’t forget to replace your rear wiper blade as well.
Inspect belts and hoses. The rubber belts and hoses in your engine compartment are particularly vulnerable during the winter months. Cold temperatures can cause premature cracking, stretching, overall wear and failure, particularly if they’ve already been neglected. Drive, fan and alternator belts, radiator hoses and fuel lines should all be soft and pliable but relatively firm. Pay close attention to your timing belt. Most drivers will need to replace at least one during the lifetime of a vehicle. The repair is not cheap, but it’s nothing compared to what you’ll need to shell out if it breaks.
Check your battery. This is shade tree mechanic 101 stuff. Forget that you’ve gone the entire summer and your car hasn’t so much as hesitated to crank up. Don’t get caught at 7am on a 20 degree morning with a weak battery. Trust me from experience, the battery will die when you least expect, at the most inopportune time and without warning. Under heavy use, three to five years is the typically battery lifespan, so consider a replacement. Also, make sure your battery terminals are clean and corrosion free-another factor that can prolong life and ensure strong operation.
Check your engine coolant. Engine coolant is also known as anti-freeze and for good reason. The elements of the fluid help protect your engine from frigid temps and also help stave off corrosion. Your engine has a mix of water and anti-freeze which should include more of the latter during colder months. Checking this mixture requires a special tool, so it may be best left to your mechanic.
Get regular car washes. If I could afford it, I’d wash my car every day. But even if you aren’t obsessive about vehicle cleanliness, you should be during the winter. Caustic salt can chemicals used to melt ice and snow also can cause corrosive damage to your car’s body and premature wear to paint, clearcoat and alloy wheels (if you have them). Wash the exterior of your car regularly, but especially after snow and rain when road chemicals are used. Always opt for the undercarriage wash as well to avoid salt build up and corrosion on your suspension and exhaust parts. 
Pack an emergency kit. No one wants to get stranded when its cold outside, but it happens. A stalled car, fender bender or even weather-related traffic jam can make for a very unpleasant situation without the proper equipment. A flashlight, road flares, ice scraper and a small packet of ice melt are good items to have. Jumper cables are great and if you have the space, a portable charge until will allow you to jumpstart your car without the assistance of another vehicle. Pack a small blanket and some non-perishable food and water.Related Articles:
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