Preparing for Winter

We know that most people don’t look forward to harsh winter weather. But even if you're not ready for the cold and snow, you need to make sure that your vehicle is. Don't wait until it's too late to winterize your vehicle. Get prepared in the fall while it is still mild outside. After all, who wants to get their vehicle ready for winter when it's cold and snowing?

Before Snowfall

Some maintenance items should be taken care of before the first snow of the season. Give your vehicle a good waxing in the fall to protect the finish. It will also help the snow slide off better for easier cleaning.

Visit your auto technician and have the belts and hoses checked out to see if they need to be replaced. Your belts and hoses should all fit snugly and should not be cracked, glazed or frayed. It may also be a good idea to change your oil to one with a lighter weight for sub-zero temperatures. This type of oil makes for easier start-ups and less engine wear in the first few minutes.

Check your vehicle's transmission fluid, brake fluid and engine coolant to make sure they don't need to be changed. If you are unsure about doing this yourself, take it to a service station.  Make certain the heater/defroster is working properly and keep the gas tank full. In addition to staying ready for the road, a full fuel tank decreases the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.

All-season tires do a reasonably good job in most conditions (dry roads, moderate ice and snow) but they're not ideal for deep snow and severe ice. A snow tire is a better choice for travelling in poor winter conditions, while a studded snow tire is another option (legal up to end of April).  Keep in mind that studded tires have two disadvantages: there's traction sacrifice on dry and wet roads; and the studs are noisy.

No matter what kind of tires you choose, keep track of their wear. Many winter fender benders are caused by driver error and worn tires. If you are due to get new tires, don't wait until the middle of winter: get them replaced before the snow flies. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and that your spare is in good condition.

Also, check to see if your spark plugs and battery need replacing. You don't want to have a stalled vehicle in the dead of winter. If your battery is more than two years old, take it to your technician to have the charging system completely checked. Older batteries are less likely to start in winter temperatures than newer ones.

Thawing Out

To keep the doors from freezing in cold weather, spray or smear silicone every fall and spring on all the gaskets between the door and the body. If there is a gasket on each, coat both. It's a good idea to also treat the gaskets on the trunk or hatch.

Washing your vehicle on a regular basis is a good idea in the winter to keep all the salt and grime off your vehicle. But if you do wash the vehicle when it's very cold outside, the door lock mechanisms may get wet, which may cause your locks to freeze. To prevent this from happening, spray graphite in the key slot and work your key into it several times to get the graphite deep in the slot. Make sure not to get messy graphite on your clothes and wipe off the key before you stick it back into your purse or pocket. It may be a good idea to have a keyless entry system installed in your vehicle.

Also, keep a container of lock thawing chemicals handy in case the door lock still freezes. If your gas cap door can be opened from outside the car, you can store a small container inside the door. If not, then keep it somewhere in your garage, purse, etc. The chemicals usually wash the lubricant out of the lock mechanism, so shoot more graphite into the lock after you get it open.

Stock Up and Replace

There are items you will want to have on hand for the winter. One of these is an aerosol de-icer that you can use on frozen doors and locks. But remember, the colder it gets, the less pressure the propellant will provide.

A handy item to have in the garage or your shed is windshield washer fluid. Stock up and make sure to fill your vehicle's reservoir. If you have been using water instead of washer fluid, make sure it is completely removed before you add the fluid. Keep a few good scrapers and brushes around just in case you lose any. Have one in your vehicle, one in your garage and one at work. That way, you are covered wherever you are. Use the toothed side of the scraper to break up ice and the smooth side to clear off chunks of ice and snow.

Windshield Care

You may also want to apply a repellant to the windshield and all the windows to keep them free of slush, salt and muck. The repellant does this by filling in microscopic pits and scratches to which the stuff clings. This also makes it easier to scrape off ice and snow from the windows. Put some on your wiper blades, too.

Speaking of windshield wipers, you should replace your regular ones with winter blades. They have a thin rubber sheath covering the superstructure to keep snow and ice from building up so the entire blade stays in contact with the glass.

Do not yank or chop at your windshield wipers to try to free them if they are stuck to the windshield. You may pull chunks from the blade, which will lead to streaking when you use the wipers. Start the vehicle, put on the defroster, and clear the other windows first. By the time you get to the windshield, the wipers should be free from ice.

Check your lights

Turn on your vehicle's lights and walk around the vehicle. Make sure they are working properly. If any are burnt out, replace them. If any lenses are cracked or broken, replace them, too. Make sure you check the high beams, low beams, turn signals and hazard flashers.

Also, check to see if your headlights are aimed properly. This helps you see where you are going and keeps you from blinding oncoming drivers. If you carry heavy loads often, be sure to check the lights under those conditions, as well.

Carry in your Vehicle

Store some carpet scraps in your vehicle. If you happen to get stuck in the snow, place these scraps under the wheels for better traction.

You should also keep a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle in case you become stranded. Some of the items you may want to include are: battery jumper cables, flares, first-aid kit, shovel, basic tool kit, sleeping bags and blankets, extra winter clothing, flashlight with extra batteries, transistor radio, bag of sand or cat litter, cellular phone, power adapter and extra battery. And don’t forget to keep a few bottles of water and "high-energy" snacks on hand.

If you become stranded in your vehicle in a winter storm, stay inside your vehicle, call for help with your phone, stay warm with blankets, keep your lights on to remain visible and run the engine and heater periodically to save fuel.

Don't wait too long to get you and your vehicle ready for winter. Just because the calendar says winter doesn't start until Dec. 21, it doesn't mean that Mother Nature will wait until then to blast us with a blizzard. Be prepared.