PRODUCTS

Car Maintenance Tips for Winter and Freezing Temperatures

There are some very specific tips for winter maintenance and preparation of a car or truck.

One of the first winter car maintenance tips is changing the oil. This is not only a car winterizing tip, but part of good car maintenance. Although there is a standard every car varies for oil type and some require different oil during cold weather. To prepare a truck or car for winter the oil needs to be changed to a multi-viscosity oil like 5W-30 or oil for high mileage vehicles (over 100,000 KM). If you are debating whether your car needs an oil change as part of its winter maintenance and prep then check the weather forecast for your area. If your car is not due for an oil change yet then just check its oil. Keep the weather in mind next time you get an oil change so you can prepare ahead of time.

One of the most important winter driving tips is to keep your gas tank filled above halfway. By making sure it has gas you can prevent fuel lines from freezing. Some people use Heet, an additive for gasoline that helps prevent frozen fuel lines, especially on older vehicles and freezing temperatures. Keeping the gas over half full also gives peace of mind that you wont run out if you are in a traffic jam. As mentioned above Seattle drivers desert their vehicles alongside the roadways during horrible snow storms or accumulation. The traffic jams that occur during bad winter weather can be exceptionally long, so be prepared.

Check the coolant. Antifreeze and water are used throughout the year to keep a car’s radiator full. Running out of water will ruin your engine and so will There are premixed antifreeze bottles that make it easier than mixing the antifreeze yourself, but over time it can still thin out. Antifreeze is one of the most important winter preparation tips for your car. Most oil change places can also flush the antifreeze coolant and replace it. If you sample your antifreeze and it is not bright green then you should have your coolant flushed or drained and filled. Antifreeze is lethal to some animals so dispose of it properly. Check car hoses, too.
Check the windshield wiper blades to make sure they are in good condition.

Tires with poor treads can skid in ice. Dirty car image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com

1. Tires with poor treads can skid in ice.

Preparing your car for the winter months can save your life. Whether you live in an extremely cold location or you plan to travel during the winter, it's important to take proper precautions. Some mechanics offer winterizing services for your car. You can do some of your own preparations to keep you and your family safe during this challenging time of year.

Fluid Levels

2. Check the fluid levels in your car before winter approaches. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends checking car fluids such as antifreeze, oil, brake fluid and defroster. The levels of these fluids must be maintained for proper functioning of the car. The Auto Channel states that the best ratio of anti-freeze to water in the cooling system is 50/50. Windshield wiper fluid should be replaced with a wintertime-specific mixture. Freeze-resistant washer fluid is ideal for winter. Water and standard washer fluid will freeze in extremely cold weather. Keep an extra gallon of freeze-resistant washer fluid in the trunk for backup. Also, it's important to keep the gas tank near full in the winter months. This helps prevent ice from forming in the tank and fuel lines, which can be dangerous.

Tires

3. The condition of your tires in the winter can save your life. The Auto Channel's advice for winterizing your car includes checking your tire pressure. When it's cold outside, the air inside the tire contracts and causes the pressure to drop. Set the tire pressure to your specific car manufacturer's recommendation. Also, check the tread depth on the tires. The treads are the small groves in the outer tire. The Auto Channel suggests using the penny method to determine whether you need new tires. Place a penny headfirst between the tire's treads. If you can see the top of Lincoln's hair on the penny, the tire needs to be replaced. In addition, keep a spare tire in the trunk. MSNBC's "10 Simple Ways to Get Your Car Ready for Winter" suggests using snow tires if you live in a hilly area that requires more traction.

Emergency Kit

4. An emergency kit is especially important to have on hand in the winter. MSNBC contributor Laura T. Coffey suggests a winter emergency car kit that includes a blanket, extra boots and gloves, and an extra pair of warm clothing. Keep it in your trunk.You never know when you may be trapped somewhere cold. Your emergency kit should also include extra non-perishable food, an ice scraper, small shovel, flashlight, flares and jumper cables. All of these items will come in handy if you're stuck and waiting for help. A first aid kit with medical supplies is also important for treating injuries. Also, pack a bag of abrasive material like sand or kitty litter to help with traction if you are stuck in the snow or ice.

Before Hitting the Road

1. Clear all windows of frost and snow. Many drivers ignore this simple step and drive with ice dropping off their windows, roofs, hoods, etc. This can lead to obstructed views and possible driving hazards for those driving behind you. Clear away snow with an ice scraper, or simply click on your windshield wipers. Check the blades on your wipers; make sure to use a winter-formulated washer fluid.

Your tires need a good tread to be able to gain traction in the snow and ice. Old tire image by Slilt

Non-winter formula washer fluids can freeze in the washer reservoir or on the windshield, but winter formulas will remain liquid when temperatures drop.

2. Your tires need a good tread to be able to gain traction in the snow and ice. Test your tires.

All-season tires should be routinely checked, because tire tread is crucial when driving on slick roads. Proper tire pressure maintenance is required. With rain, sleet and snow, tires can have traction issues. If you live in a city with heavy snow, your best choice would be to purchase winter tires, which provide ultimate traction.

3. Fight the freeze. Just like you, your car likes to stay warm. Once temperatures begin to drop, make sure to check your levels of antifreeze. Low levels can end up battling it out with water, causing it to freeze and even crack parts of the engine.

Routine Maintenance

· 1 Schedule a tune-up. Have the spark plugs, belts, hoses checked out. Replace all worn or damaged parts. Ask your mechanic to take extra time when checking the brakes. 

2 Keep the fuel system clean. Extremely harsh winter temps can cause your vehicle's gas line to freeze. To prevent it, add a bottle of fuel de-icer at every fill up to keep moisture from freezing in the fuel line.

· 3 Keep winter road grime off your vehicle. Wash away grime. Road salts, snow, ice and mud can accumulate. If they are not removed, they could lead to rust. You should wash and wax your car as often as possible. This removes grime build-up. Remember to never wax chrome. Wax holds moisture, which can

Keep winter road grime off your vehicle. Car wash image by Photoeyes

Prepare Your Car for The Winter Season Car wash image by Photoeyes

I will give you a complete guide to properly preparing your car for the harsh winter. The theme here is Safety, keeping you and other drivers on the road safe. Furthermore, your vehicle is an investment and taking these steps will ensure your "investment" will service you for many miles to come.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

* Some time
* Some money

1. The first and arguably the most important step is to check the condition of your current tires. If you find any cracks, gouges, bumps, or excessive wear during the inspection all tires should be replaced. You can normally tell your tires are worn too far by the wear bars, which is a raised portion of rubber in the grooves. If these bars are flat (or close to) with the tread , you have excessive wear. If you can get a spare set of wheels/rims for winter, that would be great too, as the salt will damage any set of rims.

2. Take your car to a certified mechanic to have everything inspected. The main things I would pay special attention to is the thermostat, coolant level/condition (coolant is very important, it's the source of your heat and if mixed too lean could freeze and crack your block), battery condition, Defroster (this requires the A/C to function properly), and brakes for wear, hot spots, and being warped. I would not suggest trying these checks by yourself, a mechanic has the knowledge, tools, and training to do these properly and efficiently.

3. Make sure you can see and be seen by others. Make sure your headlights, taillights, hazards, and blinkers function properly. If there is any issue with lighting, fix immediately. I would suggest buying a new set of wipers, old wipers tend to streak and leave more obstructions on the windshield. Make sure your windshield washer fluid is full and is designed for below freezing temperatures. Also make sure the nozzles/sprayers are not clogged or damaged. Salt does a number on your paint job too so rinsing or washing every couple of days will really delay any corrosion.