7 Steps To Prepare You, And Your Car, For A Worry Free Winter

It's that time of year again, the leaves have fallen off the trees

, and you are finding frost on your car windows in the morning. The frigid temperatures and snowy roads are not just hard on you, but also on your car. Let's face it, car problems are no fun any time of year, but in the winter, they seem to be even worse. On top of your day to day activities, you have the holiday hustle and bustle as well as extra driving to visit friends and family. If your car breaks down, leaving you waiting for a tow truck in cold weather, it is not only miserable, but can be dangerous as well. The good news is that with a little preparation, and the help of an ASE certified mechanic, you can avoid the headache of a breakdown in the middle of a winter wonderland.

1) Check your tire pressure regularly and keep the valve stem caps on your tires. Whether you park in a garage or outside, you will "lose" a pound of tire pressure every 10 degrees the temperature decreases. A 5 psi (pound per square inch) loss can result from summer to winter due to the temperature drop. If the valve stem cap can is left off moisture can freeze in the valve stem and allow air to escape.

2) Have your oil changed and use synthetic oil. Synthetic oil works a bit better in the winter because it maintains its viscosity and can withstand extreme temperature lows, while conventional oil may not flow as well through the engines lubrication system. Synthetic oil costs a bit more, but it's worth the investment and you can wait longer between oil changes.

3) Have your cooling system flushed with fresh coolant/antifreeze. Just like any other fluid, coolant/antifreeze can break down over time. Gunk and minerals can build up and settle at the bottom of your radiator. Flushing your cars ready to handle the frigid winter temps.

4) Fill your washer fluid reservoir with de-icer washer fluid. 90% of your driving decisions are based on visibility. De-icer washer fluid is great for winter temps because it stops refreeze or the hazing you get on your windshield that can block your vision.

5) Change to winter wiper blades. Your wiper blades should be changed every six months; the fall and spring are a great time to do this. In the fall switch to winter wiper blades that are designed to handle snow, have a tougher rubber boot that will keep snow and ice from building up in blade components, and a heavier construction to handle bad conditions.

6) Have your belts and hoses carefully inspected. There are many belts and hoses under your car's hood, and they all need to work to keep you moving. It is important to find out if there are any frayed or torn belts, or hoses that are cracked or have rusted clamps. If there are, have them replaced before you find yourself stuck on the side of the road next to a snow bank.

7) Check for any additional necessary repairs and tune-up your engine. This may sound a little vague, and the idea of walking into a service center and asking for a "tune-up" may seem a little daunting, and like an invitation to be taken advantage of. But the truth is most reputable auto service centers have special seasonal maintenance programs designed to get you car in shape for the winter and save you money in the process. Making sure your car is ready to handle winter weather can really save you both time and money in the long run.

Winter driving can be both stressful and dangerous, and a breakdown this time of year could leave you waiting for help in dangerously cold weather. Alleviate some of this stress and give yourself peace of mind by allowing a little extra travel time, having an emergency safety kit on hand, and making sure your car is ready to handle winter weather. Many service centers have fall and winter maintenance specials designed to do just this. Find a reputable auto service center with ASE certified technicians and talk to them about getting your car in shape for the season ahead.

by: Lauren Fix

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