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Tips to Winterize Your Car
Making sure your car is prepared for winter is something that can make the difference once the cold weather really sets in. By doing the steps listed below, you can reduce to possibility of breakdowns and other cold-weather related problems.
1) Get An Oil Change That Is Right For Winter
Having oil that is the right viscosity for winter will help your engine in cold weather. As motor oil cools, it becomes thicker and loses its ability lubricate as effectively. It is important to make sure the oil you have in your engine during the winter is not too thick.
2) Replace Your Windshield Wiper Blades
It is recommended that you replace your windshield wiper blades a minimum of once per year. However, in areas that receive a lot of precipitation, it could be necessary more often. Having windshield wipers that can effectively clean your windshield is imperative for safe winter driving. This is something that can make the difference between being able to see and causing an accident.
3) Check You Battery
Extreme cold can really wear a battery. It is important to check all connections and posts to the battery to make sure they are free of corrosion and the battery has all of the water it needs. If your battery is more than three years old, take it to a local automotive service center and have them test the batterys ability to hold a charge. As batteries age, they are less effective and lose their ability to start in cold weather.
4) Check Tire Pressure
Having tires that are properly inflated can help prevent your car from skidding on slick surfaces. Cold air can make tire pressure drop and it is important to check the tire pressure regularly in cold weather. Tires generally lose one pound of pressure per square inch for every ten degree Fahrenheit drop in temperature.
5) Get The Right Mixture of Antifreeze
Antifreeze should have a ratio of 50/50 antifreeze (coolant) to water. Having this ratio will prevent the mixture for freezing even at extreme temperatures and causing problems to the radiator. The mixture can be tested by using an inexpensive antifreeze testing kit. These are available at most automotive repair shops. If your antifreeze needs to be replaced, make sure you have it done properly as you cannot just pour old antifreeze down the drain.
6) Have An Emergency Kit
An emergency kit can provide the necessary essentials in case you should get stranded. Pack it with things like a blanket, extra boots and gloves, warm clothes, water and food (including hard candy. Also have a flashlight, flares, jumper cables, a first aid kit, paper towels, and sand or cat litter to help with traction. It is also important to keep your gas tank as full as possible to prevent the fuel line from freezing. It should not go below half in extreme cold.