If you’re like many of us, you don’t think about preparing for winter until the first major snowstorm. Let’s do it differently this year. Let’s plan ahead.
Priority one: Get a warm coat, boots, gloves, hat.
Priority two: Winterize your car! Let’s review some key steps:
1. Change the oil in your car to a less viscous, thinner oil, perhaps going to 5W-30. Check your car manual to determine what is best.
2. Use coolant with ethylene glycol to protect your engine. You should have a 50/50 mix of antifreeze in your radiator.
3. Check your battery cables, terminals and fluid levels. Replace cracked cables, tighten terminals and if the fluid level is below the bottom of the cap, fill it with distilled water.
4. Replace your windshield wipers if necessary and use windshield wiper fluid with antifreeze. Keep your windshield wiper fluid reservoir full.
5. Get a good ice scraper and brush to remove snow and ice from the windshield and mirrors.
6. Check your tires and tire pressure. If you have all-season tires, check the tread to ensure that you have enough tread for good traction. If you live where there are hills and strong winds, you may want to invest in good snow tires.
7. Check to make certain that your heater and fan system and defroster are working well.
8. Examine your belts and hoses. Make sure they are not worn and have no cracks.
9. Invest in de-icer in case your car doors get frozen shut. Put one in your garage and keep one at your work place.
10. Keep your gas tank on full.
11. Keep an emergency kit in your car. Items for your kit could include: flares, blankets, extra boots and gloves and possibly even an extra set of warm clothes, radio, engine oil, washer fluid, coolant, flashlight, a small shovel, jumper cables, a spare tire, first-aid kit, paper towels, and sand, salt or kitty litter for additional traction if you get stuck in the snow.
You can find winter car tips at:
- Edmunds.com
- eHow.com
- National Safety Council nsc.org
- Dmv.org
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