Winter’s Coming Is your car ready?

by Gary Anderson

With winter on the way, in the colder climes you need to prepare your car for safety.

If you’ll be driving the car in cold, snowy, or icy conditions, start by checking the tires. If you drive on icy pavement and in the snow, seriously consider changing to winter tires with tread and rubber that suit the lower temperatures and slick conditions. In any case, make sure that the tires. including the spare, are inflated to the pressures indicated on the label on the door jamb or fuel-filler door.

Check your coolant, belts, and hoses. With the greater difference between ambient temperature and engine temperature, the cooling system will be under greater stress. Make very sure that your coolant/antifreeze mixture is balanced properly.

Vision is important. Replace your wiper blades if you haven’t done so this year. Make sure your windshield washer fluid reservoir is full with the recommended fluid. Make sure your heater, defroster, and screen warmer are all working properly.

Check the battery(ies) to make sure the posts and cables are clean of corrosion. If the battery is three years old or more, consider replacing it. At the very least, check the charging system to make sure it’s working properly. Cold starts and running the heater stress the battery, and you don’t want to find yourself stranded without the ability to start the car or run the heater.

Pack an emergency kit in the car, including a blanket, extra boots, gloves, and a change of warm clothing. A good ice scraper and brush should be easily accessible. Flares and a flashlight with fresh batteries are important. High calorie snacks and drinking water should be included if you’ll be outside the urban area. Make sure your cell phone works. An additional cell phone battery is a good idea as well. 

If you’re driving in snow conditions, pack a set of chains, and make sure you know how to install them. Practice in your driveway now so that at night in a snowstorm you’ll know what to do.