Have you winterized your vehicle yet? If you read the first part of this blog you know that I’m only part way through the winterizing process. Old Man Winter snuck up on me and already dropped more than a foot of snow on our state and the temps have barely crept out of the teens over the last couple of weeks.
Okay. Who am I kidding? I procrastinated and now I am trying desperately to get my winterizing checklist complete before we head out on our holiday road trip.
If you are driving over the river and through the woods for the holidays I would suggest you take a look at the following tips. After all, nothing can ruin a spirited holiday road trip like a stalled car or flat tire.
More Winterizing Tips:
Switch to Snow Tires. One important note about this task–it’s dangerous to mix and match snow tires. Different brands have different tread levels for traction. Make sure your snow tires are uniform.
Change Washer Fluid and Check Anti-Freeze. During the winter months it’s a good idea to switch to a washer fluid that has a de-icer. Also, I mentioned this in my previous blog, but it is important to check your anti-freeze. If you’re not sure of the condition or age of your antifreeze, test it with an antifreeze tester. That will tell you the ratio of water to antifreeze. If you’ve got too much water, your fluid could freeze. Fluid expands when it freezes, which means you run the risk of cracking your engine. That’s one costly repair you want to avoid. Also, don’t overdo the anti-freeze. Add too much antifreeze and you’ll lose the heat dissipation that water provides. That could lead to an overheated engine—another costly repair. Generally speaking, most vehicles require a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze.
Install Winter Wiper Blades: Winter wiper blades come with a protective sleeve that will help keep the blade on your windshield.
Check Your Trunk. Before heading out on your winter road trip be sure your trunk has the following items: Jumper cables, a flashlight with new batteries, a first aid kit, tire sealant, cable ties, work gloves, a basic tool kit, rain poncho, protein bars and bottled water, ice scraper, snow brush, hand warmers and blankets. And make sure you have a cellphone and bring along the charger. It’s also a good idea to have an emergency LED roadside flare. (I devoted an entire series of blogs to this subject. Click here to get more tips.)
Don’t Be Lazy. When your car is covered with snow take a few minutes to remove the white stuff and the ice off your roof, headlights, taillights, and side mirrors—not just your windshield. There’s nothing that peeves some drivers more than a person who barrels down the highway at 80 mph and tries to use the wind to help clear his or her vehicle of snow and ice.
Related Articles:
Tips for Winterizing Your Vehicle–Part 1
Winter Car Care Tips—“Hooray! My Car Started Today!”
Winter Driving: I’m Stranded-What Do I Do Now?
Winter Driving—Tips On How To Navigate Through Treacherous Travel Conditions
Preparing For Your Road Trip:
Part 1
Preparing For Your Road Trip: Part 3