Prepare for Cold Weather by Winterizing Your Car

Winter weather can be tough on your car, and without the proper preparations it can also be hazardous for traveling on the road.  To help safely navaigate around possible pitfalls, take the time to winterize your car.  Here are a few quick tips:

Monitor Oil and Fluid Levels

Monitoring your oil and fluid levels is important all year, but never more so than during the coldest months.  Keeping the proper amount of coolant and antifreeze help protect your engine from freezing temperatures.  Not having the proper oil levels can cause your engine to seize up, expecially in cold weather.  Depending on how cold the winter gets, using a thinner motor oil can also help ensure that it circulates freely.

Check Tire Pressure and Tread Depth

During the winter, the roads can be slick more regularly for a number of reasons.  The cold temperatures also cause a drop in air pressure.  Making sure that your car's tires have enough air and proper tread is paramount to staying safe of the winter roads.  An easy way to check your tread is to use a penny.  Insert the penny upside down (or head first) and if you can see the top of Abe's head then your tread is low.

Get the Battery Checked

The life of your battery can be greatly reduced by cold weather, and it can take a bit more juice to get your engine started when it is very cold.  Take the time to make sure your battery is holding a proper charge, and ensure the posts and connections are clean.  Doing this can help you avoid being stranded by an underperforming battery in the dead of winter.

Keep a Winter Emergency Kit in the Vehicle

Even if you follow all of the above tips, you can still find yourself in a situation where your car won't start.  It is especially importanty during the winter to have an emergency kit ready for just this type of moment.  Recommended items for your winter emeregency kit are:

• A flashlight and flares
• A first aid kit
• An auto tool kit
• A warm jacket and a blanket
• Jumper cables
• An ice scraper
• Extra washer fluid