Friday, November 29, 2013

How To Winterize Your Car In 10 Easy Steps

How to Winterize Your Car in 10 Easy Steps

 The freezing temperatures in winter months can be hard on you and your car. Here a few quick tips to keep you safe on the road this winter.  How to prep your car for winter.





Emergency Kit
Make sure you have some kind of an emergency kit in your car. Something to help you out if you end up on the side of the road.  The smallest things can help the most in the middle of a winter storm or on the side of the road.  Here are a few simple things to keep with you.
  •       Blanket
  •         Extra Water and Food
  •          Hand warmers or extra pair of gloves
  •         Ice Scraper
  •         Small Shovel and Kitty Litter (Sand and Kitty Litter help with traction)
  •          Ice Scraper
  •          Flashlight
  •         Flare
  •         Jumper Cables






Belts & Hoses
Be sure to look over all of your belts and hoses for cracks or splits.  The Rubber and weaved material are strong, but when they are up against freezing temperatures and frozen stiff the smallest things can be a cause for trouble.




Locked out?
Glycerine works as a great way to quickly de-ice your vehicle. Vehicles can become frozen shut and even worse, if you don’t have keyless entry it could be impossible to turn your key in a frozen door lock. It is sold at most automotive retailers and hardware stores and can be purchased in small tubes and easily stored in a work desk, purse or backpack. Be sure to keep it somewhere accessible, as a glove box may not be to helpful if you are locked out.





Protect that Windshield
A lack of visibility is an accident waiting to happen.  Snow, Slush and Salt come from all directions when on the road and can easily dirty up that windshield. Make sure you have plenty of antifreeze style windshield washer fluid under the hood and in the car. Along with washer-fluid, make sure you have fairly new windshield wipers. $30 bucks can be the difference from a clear windshield and a smashed car. Sometimes it’s just not worth the risk to hold off.





Snow Tires
Good tires make or break traction in a winter snow flurry or even when trying to get out of a parking spot. Winter snow tires should be a must if your vehicle doesn’t have All Wheel Drive capabilities.  It may seem like a big investment, but it’s worth it even for those few times you’re trying to make it up the hill to Grandma’s house for Sunday dinner. Snow tires can last several years as well, they are only used for a few months and then stored away until next season.





Battery Capacity
Being stranded at 6 o’ clock after work is not fun. Car batteries can be stubborn in winter, the cold weather affects its charge capacity.  Be sure to check the fluid level in your battery, this can be inspected by popping off the refill caps or may even have an indicator on the side of the battery. If the fluid is low, refill it with Distilled Water to prevent corrosion inside of the battery.  Be sure to check the voltage, many stores will do this for free.  If you are in the need of buying a new battery, be sure to check the date on the new one in the store, don’t buy one that is older than 4 months.





A good Scraping
Be sure to buy a reliable ice scraper, if you choose to go cheap you may end up with something that merely streaks your windshield with lines.  A stronger, longer scraper is great for removing frozen snow in tire wells, under bumpers and in your suspension. All of these can lead to small issues over time.







Pressurize
The air in the tires drops 1psi (Pounds per Square Inch) every 10 degrees in temperature change, warmer or colder. This can lead to poor gas mileage, abnormal wear on the tires. Something so small and so easy can lead to a hefty price tag.  Newer cars will shine the bright orange light in your face when your vehicle’s tire pressure is off.




Engine Cooling
The coolant running through your engine is a big deal in extremely cold temperatures. This fluid helps keep your cars internals from corroding and free of rust.  The mixture should be up to par as well, for the winter it should be closer to 60% Antifreeze and 40% water. If there is too much water, the car’s radiator will actually freeze up and the vehicle will overheat. This can be costly.





Spare a Spare
Be sure to keep the spare tire in your trunk, or under your car filled with air. The spare can deflate a bit in the winter and if the time ever comes that this is needed, you don’t want to find out you now have two flat tires!



29 comments:

  1. Keyless entry locks also known as electronic door locks add an additional level of security for both homeowners and business owners.Keyless entry is the preferred and usual mode of dealing with door locks nowadays.

    door locks

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well, that's what an auto locksmith a mobile service, is there for. It does not matter if the problem lies with the locks, keys, or whole security system of the car. http://autolocksmithsanjose.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. The way Narc that auto works is simple: You enlist; go out to the road and look for 10 autos, simply record the tag number and the address of the place you saw the specific auto with that specific tag.2018 Car Review

    ReplyDelete
  4. When called up for helping out with the opening of locked out cars or providing key replacements, the locksmith car key replacement expert helps with immediate response. car key copy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Do you have a car and wondering how you can replace the door locks? You should note that the door locks in most cars are the same; therefore, if you can change one lock, you can change all the other locks.
    автоключар

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for a wonderful share. Your article has proved your hard work and experience you have got in this field. Brilliant .i love it reading. http://www.broowaha.com/articles/29472/how-much-should-i-pay-to-hire-a-locksmith-in-dallas

    ReplyDelete
  7. Car keys are important and losing them can spell trouble especially for people who need their ride.lexus key replacement

    ReplyDelete
  8. You should begin by evacuating the breaking down lock. This calls for you to roll the window as far as possible up.key duplication near me

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am looking for that part. Though could not find the perfect one. I might buy that . But I will try to look more into this matter with the help of free car manuals.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You are on a road trip in winter by your car. These are the great tips to keep you safe in winter. Visit replacement car keys which provide fast and affordable car keys.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Automatic anti-false: Being able to distinguish the RF copied or forged 7.Funtion of back locking: having the functions of passage locks and inner locking, and then make you safe and convenient. Jim Bailey

    ReplyDelete
  12. Much thanks for keep this information. Good thoughts! I learn numerous here.
    Car key Replacement

    ReplyDelete
  13. so happy to find good place to many here in the post, the writing is just great, thanks for the post. Seattle locksmith

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi there, I found your blog via Google while searching for such kinda informative post and your post looks very interesting for me Commercial Locksmith Sanford NC

    ReplyDelete
  15. The rods usually have plastic clips that hold them in place. All you need to do is to push the clips aside and lift the rods out of the door handle.

    used car dealerships

    ReplyDelete
  16. Car locksmiths, the world over are respected to be the best among all locksmiths. Car locksmiths need to deal with the most sensitive locks of the absolute most prized cars.Links Locksmith Services Jacksonville FL 23335, (904) 615-8397

    ReplyDelete
  17. I high value this post. It's elusive the great from the awful here and there, however I think you've nailed it! would you mind refreshing your blog with more data?
    lisa olson cure infertility

    ReplyDelete
  18. With these expert, the security of your vehicle and home is in acceptable hands. Emergency Locksmith Gold Coast

    ReplyDelete
  19. They perform crisis keying administrations like lock picking and lock fix. Locksmiths Longmont CO

    ReplyDelete
  20. In the event that requiring a locksmith made you late for your arrangement, you likely have exceptionally blended emotions about the administrations of a 24 hour locksmith.Dubai Locksmith

    ReplyDelete
  21. which implies they all line up in a straight, level line inside the lock which permits the key to turn the lock. At the point when key knocking is utilized, a key is embedded in which all the bittings have been chopped down to the most profound estimation passable for the particular sort of lock included. Schlüsseldienst in Aachen

    ReplyDelete
  22. These locksmiths in this way will offer malicious Toronto Top Locksmith and exceptionally confused guidance.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Possibly somebody took your handbag, and you're worried that you need to change the locks at your home. commercial locksmith

    ReplyDelete
  24. Key codes can be changed as frequently as you like, and in the event that you pick a finger impression or biometric lock, numerous fingerprints can be put away in the lock's memory to take into account various clients to get access. A few locks recollect upwards of 100 fingerprints. slotenservice rotterdam 010

    ReplyDelete
  25. At last, and sadly, there are numerous locksmiths out there who are not authorized locksmiths. locksmith Sterling Heights

    ReplyDelete
  26. If you're locked out of your vehicle and have an emergency aides administration call them before a locksmith. locksmith Madison heights

    ReplyDelete
  27. In many buildings and business establishments, many are already using keyless entry through ID card swiping, installing monitoring and other high security locking devices and security alarm devices. see information on the site

    ReplyDelete
  28. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete