How To Winterize Your Car

Winter is here, and with that comes the joys and pains of driving in ice and snow, cold starts, cleaning windows and more. Winterizing your car is vital to winter car success. Here are a few things you can do to make this season a little less challenging.

• Basic Automobile Maintainance is vital to winterize your car.

  • The winterize your car, start with the battery. If you've grown up in the midwest like myself, you know that cold winter starts can cause more problems than we'd like to admit to. Check to see how old the battery is in your vehicle. For example, many batteries are warranted for 72-84 months. This however, does not mean that your battery will necessarily last this long though. Check your battery annually to insure that it will hold you through the cold season. If in doubt, replace it. Spending $100 now will save you money on a tow or a call to AAA in the future.
  • The next step to winterize your car is to inspect the wiper blades. There's nothing is worse than having your car windows iced over and worn wiper blades that are warped or worn irregularly. All you end up with is a big area not cleaned off in the center of your field of vision. Wiper blades are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace yourself. If uneasy about doing these yourself, most oil change places will for a small fee.
  • Another car winterization tip is to flush your radiator. Radiator flush is a little trickier to do yourself, but important. This helps to clean the gunky buildup out of the radiator to help it work at its' best. These days, the systems are pressurized. There is usually a drain on the bottom of the radiator. This can be loosened and also the cap can be taken off of the burp bottle. Coolant will then drain. My dad used did this with our cars growing up. He would flush the system with water. But, one cannot merely add fluid and expect it to get sucked down into the radiator. Old systems with a cap on the radiator were ok as you would simply pour coolant or water directly into the radiator. With a pressurized system, there is a pressure valve usually around the water pump that must also be opened. And, best when car is running to help draw coolant inside. Don't be afraid to have the pros complete this winterizing job. It's relatively inexpensive to have your local mechanic or oil change place take care of this.
  • Think tires are important to winterize your car? You're right. There's nothing worse than driving on ice and snow with bald tires. Inspect your tires. Are they holding air? What is the traction like on them? Slow air leaks tend to make themselves more noticeable on cold days. You may have air one day and come outside only to find a flat tire the next. If the traction seems to be getting a little shallow, it's best to invest in getting a couple of new tires. Remember to replace tires in pairs so you have balanced traction. You will also want the added traction when the roads become slick and will appreciate this winterizing tip.

  
  
  Your car is now ready for the winter road. Congratulations! There are of course many other tips to winterize your car to prepare for the winter.

  • Make sure that the defroster is working on your car.
  • Install a remote car starter. Eliminate cold winter starts.
  • Apply an engine block heater and plug in nightly.
  • Keep her in the garage. No need to clean the windows before you head to work.
  • Keep the gas tank full to prevent moisture from freezing in your fuel lines.
  • If it is necessary to defrost your windows due to ice on outside or frost on the inside, put the visors down. Your windows will de-ice sooner.
  • If you don't have remote start, start your car and turn the defroster on 5-10 minutes before it is time to leave. Your car will be warm and the windows will clean with ease.
  • Most of all, all yourself plenty of time to get whereever you need to be. There's nothing worse than trying to drive somewhere in the ice and snow in a hurry. Most times it will work against you and you will find yourself in a bigger pickle.

  *TIP* It is always a good idea to carry a few necessary items in your trunk. Carry a small shovel incase you find yourself high centered in a snow pile. Carry a flashlight in case you become stranded in the dark. Carry a blanket to keep warm. Carry a first aid kit. Carry jumper cables and know how to use them. You are now ready to brave the cold weather. Your car is winterized and you are ready for the winter.
  

Check here for more tips to winterize your car.
See the Top 10 car winterizing tips.

Remote Car Starter
New Wiper Blades
Toro Snow Thrower
Electric Ice Scraper
Pirelli Tires