Seven Tips To Make Sure Your Car Is Ready For Harsh Weather

Winterizing your car can help prevent the problems caused by freezing temperatures and difficult driving conditions.

Here’s a quick list to be sure to check twice if you want to give your vehicle the best chances of a smooth, safe ride through winter.

• Check the battery. At 32 degrees Fahrenheit, batteries lose a significant amount of power, and continue to get weaker as the temperature drops. Keep the surfaces of the battery clean and make sure all the connections are tight. If your car is a few years old, you may want to have a technician check the charging system to ensure it is ready for the cold.
• Check the oil. Synthetic oils are specifically designed to protect your engine in all operating temperatures. For faster engine start-ups during cold weather, use a synthetic such as Mobil 1 5W-30, which flows significantly faster than conventional 5W-30 oils at 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Check the antifreeze. The level and freshness of your vehicle’s antifreeze are crucial during the winter, protecting the engine from freezing as well as from rust and corrosion damage. Make sure the engine and coolant system are cool before you begin checking; opening a hot radiator is dangerous. If the antifreeze is low, add a 50/50 mix of approved antifreeze and distilled water.
• Check the tires. As the weather cools, air in your tires will contract. Make sure your tires are inflated properly. Too little pressure can increase wear and fuel consumption; too much pressure can reduce traction, especially in icy conditions. To maintain proper tire pressure, fill them up to their recommended PSI rating, which can be found on the driver’s side doorjamb, inside the door that covers the gas cap, on the inside of the glove box door or in the owner’s manual. Also, make sure you have plenty of tread left and replace any tires that look worn.
• Check rubber belts and hoses. In low temperatures, rubber tends to stiffen and is prone to breaking and cracking. Check the tension on the vehicle’s belts and make sure they aren’t dry-rotted or too tight. Next, feel all the hoses once the engine has completely cooled and make sure they aren’t soft and spongy, too rigid or leaking.
• Check the wiper blades and heater settings. Most windshield wiper blades are only good for a year. Check and clean the wiper blades. If the wipers are worn and smudge the windshield, they need to be replaced; frost or freezing rain mixed with worn wipers hinders your visibility and is extremely dangerous. Also, be sure to test out the heater and defroster. Make sure all settings are working properly before the harsh winter weather strikes.
• Stock the car with “winter” items. Be smart and prepare ahead of time for unexpected problems. Be sure the following items are stocked in your trunk, especially if you live in an area that frequently weathers winter storms: ice scraper to clear the windows, headlights and taillights; battery jumper cables; first-aid kit; small shovel; blankets; gloves; and a bag of salt or sand to add weight and improve traction.

In addition to following these winter survival tips, you should always drive gently while your vehicle is warming up, and be sure to drive more slowly when there’s snow or ice on the ground. Being cautious and doing simple maintenance will keep yourself and your vehicle stress-free.

This article is provided courtesy of the North American Precis Syndicate.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 at 7:45 am and is filed under Safety Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.