Preparing Your Car for the Winter

As you know winter is on it’s way – or for some, it’s already here! We know there are probably harsher conditions to come, so making sure your car is prepared for the winter weather is always a good idea! Here are a few must do tips for preparing your car for winter.

GET A TUNE UP. Winter or not, regular vehicle maintenance is always a good idea. But harsh temperatures and weather changes can affect your car – in a bad way, if you are not prepared. Make sure everything is in working order and have your mechanic do a winter check up, such as making sure you have wiper fluid, winter-grade oil, your battery is in good shape, all hoses are top notch, and the cooling system is working properly. I always ask for them to put an extra bottle (or I go buy one) of wiper fluid, because I always run out before my next oil change.

DO A WALK AROUND. Make sure your headlights and taillights are in working order.; we usually change the bulbs after our winter tune up just to make sure – and clean the fixtures as well! They can get grimy and its hard to see. Also make sure that your wiper blades are working properly – if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, check with your local dealership and just set up a a maintenance appointment or ask them to check for you during your tune up.

DON’T FORGET THE TIRES. As the temperature falls, so does the air pressure in your tires. Tires can lose pressure at a rate of about one pound per 10 degrees! It can also effect the handling of your vehicle, so make sure that they are at the correct pressure. If you are in an area that has a lot of snowfall, getting special snow tires would be a really good idea s well!

MAKE SURE YOUR EMERGENCY KIT IT UP TO DATE. Most of us throw a box or bag of ’emergency items’ in the back of the car and then forget about it. THIS is the time to make sure that you have everything you need, including blankets, maybe extra gloves, a flashlight, etc. Getting stranded in the summer is a whole different ball game then in the winter. . winter can definitely mean life or death. So make sure your kit is up to date; charge your extra battery charger for your phone, get a portable jumper (and make sure its charged) throw in some non-perishable snacks and some bottled water. You won’t be sorry!