Tips on Getting Your Car Ready for Winter

Tires

Make sure you have good tires and keep them inflated properly. For correct tire pressures, check the sticker on the driver’s door jamb of your vehicle. If you live in an area that has significant snowfall, you may want to consider replacing your tires with mud and snow tires. They have a deeper tread and will give you better traction than normal “highway” tires, although they will wear down quicker on dry roads.

Cooling System

Service your cooling system.  If your coolant mixture is too weak your cooling system may freeze up. If it becomes necessary to top of your cooling system in the winter months, never add just water to your cooling system. Make sure you add a 50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water.

Emergency Winter Kit

Carry an emergency kit in your trunk. This should include a flashlight with fresh batteries, a blanket, a tool kit (screw drivers, adjustable wrench), battery jumper cables, a small folding shovel, and of course and ice scraper for the window glass.

Wiper Blades and Washer Fluid

Replace your windshield wiper blades (don’t forget the rear wiper if you have one) and make sure your windshield washer fluid is topped off.

Beat the Cold Weather

Change your engine oil and filter, change your fuel filter, and tune up your car. Your car will run better and start easier in frigid conditions.

Battery

Have your battery checked.  If your battery is more than a few years old, you may want to replace it.

Exhaust System

Have your exhaust system checked to make sure carbon monoxide in not leaking into your passenger compartment.