Old Man Winter is approaching!!!

For most of us, winter comes way too early and lasts way too long. Here are a few simple tips to keep you and your car safe this winter.

1. Check your cooling system. A simple float gauge will tell you whether your coolant will be able to handle extreme cold this winter, as well as allow you to be able to inspect for particulates and the color.

2. Give your tires a good inspection, and check the pressure! Good tires are a must once the snow starts flying, as they're the only things keeping you on the road and out of the ditch. If they have less than 2/32nd of an inch, replace them before you end up stranded. If you have snow tires, they should be installed once the daily high is below 45°F. No matter what tires you have, checking the pressure every 2 weeks, especially as the temperature drops will help keep optimal fuel mileage, handling and safety.

3. Inspect the car's electrical system. Nothing is worse than having a car that won't start on the coldest day of the year. Clean any corrosion from the battery cable ends and the battery terminals, and inspect all grounding points. Also check the date on the battery and the warranty. If the battery is older than 6 years, it might time to replace it.

4. Stock your car up now. Having a snow-brush/ice scraper, jumper cables, hat, gloves, collapsible shovel, reflective triangles, a basic first aid kit and a basic tool kit in your car now will allow you to get through most winter situations safely.

5. Make sure your hazards, headlights and taillights work. Being able to see and be seen by others is extremely important in poor weather. Polishing hazy headlights and replacing dim bulbs can greatly reduce the chance of an accident by making sure you're visible, and you can see others.

6. Keep your glass clean. Making sure you scrape all snow and ice off, don't force your wipers to clean it off. Doing so can damage wiper blades, motors and linkages. Keeping de-icer fluid in the reservoir, good clean wipers and a clean, Rain-X'd windshield will make sure you can see as well as possible in inclement conditions.

7. Keep your car clean. A good wash and wax will help protect your paint now, and continual washes throughout the winter (never wash a car below 20°F ambient temp, however) will help keep rust at bay, and your car looking great for years to come.

The time to make sure your car is running great is now, not when it's -15° and snowing. Any other questions will be more than welcome in the proper section on the forum. Thanks for reading!

Author: 00Beast

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