What You Need to Do Now to Prepare Your Car for Winter
Winter is just around the corner, and while you’re stocking up on winter gear for the kids and taking steps to keep your home draught-free , there are a few things you need to do to get your car ready for the season. Cars need a little more attention in the winter, and they deserve it too, as they get you to and from the right place, however much you’d like to just stay inside. Here’s what to think about now to get your car ready to go when the cold weather hits.
Start with your tires
According to Performance Plus Tires , there are three things you should do to make sure your tires are ready for the snow and ice season:
- Make sure they are properly inflated because traction is vital for snow.
- Keep chains in the car in case of a sudden snowstorm.
- Align your wheels to maintain control and handling in icy conditions.
You may also just be wondering if it’s time to put in a new set of tires at all – get a tire tread depth gauge to determine if your wear is over 4/32″ which could reduce stability.
Create an emergency kit
Even if you live in an urban area and don’t foresee that someday you will be stuck somewhere in the snow with no way out, you should be prepared for the worst. Put your essentials in the trunk so you always have them at your fingertips. According to the Almanac , the kit should include:
- Extra blankets, mittens, socks and hats
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Connecting cables
- first aid kit
- bottled water
- Multitool
- Road lights and reflective warning triangles
- windshield wiper
- Sandbag (for traction)
- Folding shovel
- Hand warmers
Check and clean the battery
One way to not get stuck and need this kit is to make sure your battery is working well. Family Handyman recommends checking the battery with a computerized battery tester (or bringing the car in for a professional evaluation) and replacing it if necessary— before it cools down. Clean the battery terminals by disconnecting the negative cables, then the positive cables, using a battery cleaning tool or wire brush to clean the terminal blocks, then clean of grease and acid before reinstalling the positive cables and then the negative cables again. (You can also ask a mechanic to do this.)
Prepare windows, locks and hinges
In winter, ice water can get into the window openings, which can damage the power window cables. Lubricate window openings with aerosol silicone or dry Teflon spray by lowering the window and shooting directly at the front and rear window openings. Open and close the window several times to distribute the lubricant. Just in case, do the same with your locks, even if you usually use the remote control to access your car.
Lastly, grease all latches and hinges. If your car won’t start when it’s cold, you don’t want to find yourself having a hard time opening the hood. Your local auto shop has all the right lubricants for these various parts.
Check coolant
The coolant protects the engine from freezing and cracking. This is vital in the winter so make sure you have enough. Coolant test strips are fairly inexpensive and easy to use: they will show you if your coolant is good for freeze protection. If this is not the case, get new coolant immediately.