How to Prepare Your Car for Winter

With winter being on of the most unsafe times to drive, the right maintenance, preparation, and tools can be lifesavers when it comes to harsh driving conditions.

Regular maintenance is one of the most important things a driver can do for winter preparation. That means taking care of any fluids, such as topping off oil, coolant(a must as cold temperatures can knock the entire system out of whack), and brake and transmission fluid. The next course of action would be to check the brakes themselves, especially since snow and ice are very possible in the future months. Safety needs to come first in harsh conditions. Another thing to get checked up is the lights. Good visibility is a must with the days being shorter and darker, not to mention driving in the snow as well.

Never forget windshield wipers, as they will be one of the most used tools when getting snow, frost, and ice buildup off the windshield. Something to combat the ice that does not want to budge is to fill the washer fluid reservoir with freeze-resistant wiper fluid. This will, obviously, prevent the liquid from freezing in the reservoir and help melt off pesky ice stuck on the windshield itself.

Tires are the biggest area of concern when it comes to driving in the winter season. Rotation and inspection are an absolute must, as driving on bald or dry-rotted tires is extremely unsafe. Snow/winter tires are an option to keep in the back of your mind if you are in an area with a hefty amount of snowy weather. Snow tires are made with a special low-temperature-resilient rubber with deep treads that have a strong grip on unplowed snow and ice. Even the best tires on the market face the fate of becoming brittle in the cold, losing their ability to grip as much as usual. Snow tires also retain grip and keep the car's safety systems, like all-wheel drive and anti-lock breaks, functioning at their best potential.

Last but not least, stock your car up with emergency supplies. Anything is possible and you never know what kind of situation could be thrown at you. Make sure you have a blanket, jumper cables, a flashlight, first-aid kit, gloves, small shovel, and ice scraper, weather protecting clothes, and a supply of snacks tucked away for your safety.

Original article written by DriverSide Staff & Barbara Hanselman found here: https://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2010-12/how-prepare-your-car-winer