Make sure you can rely on your car to transport you and your family safely in all weather conditions. Why take the risk? Be proactive. Make sure your car is mechanically sound before Old Man Winter comes.
1. Clean your vehicle inside and out. Have the body of your car washed and waxed. This preventive measure will protect the paint surfaces from snow and salt erosion and will also make the ice and snow easier to brush off.
Since you will be in your car with the windows up and the heat on for the next 6 months, do yourself a favor and give your car a thorough cleaning ASAP. Remove any garbage that has collected over the summer and vacuum the seats and the floors. Dust the dash, wash the windows and clean the upholstery. To prevent that stale air/wet dog smell consider replacing the cabin air filter and then hang an organic air freshener. An organic dryer bag of lavender from Trader Joe's under the seat is my favorite. You may also want to remove your carpeted floor mats and replace them with a set a water resistant vinyl or rubber mats for the winter.
2. Make sure you can see! A winter storm is the worst time to run out of windshield washer fluid or to discover your blades aren't wiping the windshield properly. Wiper blades generally last about 6 months. Since visibility is a key ingredient to safety, be sure to invest in some new ones if needed. Make sure the washer fluid is good to -20 (Windex is not an option) Never use plain water. It will freeze all over your windshield and make a terrible mess.
3. Ensuring your heating system is working properly should be a #1 priority. While a functioning heater and defroster are important because they keep your windshield nice and clear,, they also offer you shelter from the cold. Trust me, you do not want to be trapped in a cold car in the months to come! Also, check to ensure your rear window defroster is working properly.
4. Give your battery some TLC. A battery give little notice before it dies, and very cold temperatures can reduce a vehicles battery power by up to 50 percent. If you have not replaced your battery in the last 3 years, have the battery tested when you take your car in to get winterized. Have them check that the battery posts and connections are free of corrosion. No one wants to be stranded with a dead battery in the winter cold!!
5. Belts and hoses. While they are testing the battery, make sure they inspect the belts and hoses for wear and tear - Even if you're driving a newer car. The belts and hoses and hoses in modern cars lead longer lives, but that doesn't mean they don't die. Cold weather is hard on everything, so make sure to give them some attention, too.
6. Tires. Do you need to be reminded that the tires are the only parts of your car that touch the ground? Having good winter tires on your car is the most important thing you can do to insure the next 6 months of winter driving are worry free. The condition of your tires is critical during the winter. Braking, acceleration and handling are all impacted while driving on slippery roads. Give yourself an edge with great winter tires!
Tire pressure is also important in the winter. Since traction is compromised due to wet or snowy conditions, it is critical to have properly inflated tires. In lower temperatures the air pressure is cold tires will drop. Why? Because air is a gas, and gas contracts when it gets cold and expands with heat. As an added bonus, having full and balanced tires can save you 2-3 miles per gallon of gas!
7. Antifreeze. Make sure to get the mixture just right. The ideal cocktail of coolant to water inside your vehicle radiator is 50/50. This will prevent the antifreeze from freezing in ridiculously cold temperatures that occur every winter in Minnesota. Antifreeze is very important to your engine. It cools the engine, protects it from freezing and is the key agent to providing toasty heat in your car
8. Prepare an emergency kit. Even the most meticulously maintained vehicle can develop problems on the road, especially in the winter. That's when it pays to be prepared for an emergency and keep in mind it is essential if you are taking a road trip!
9. Your Winter Survival Kit Should Include:
- A spare tire with air in it
- Extra windshield washer fluid and paper towels
- Tire changing equipment
- A bag of abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter to provide traction if your car gets stuck in the snow.
- A flashlight
- A first aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Blanket and extra warm clothes including gloves, hats and boots
- A snow brush with a scraper and a shovel
- High protein, non perishable foods such as protein bars, nuts, raisins and water
- Emergency flares
