Prepare Your Car for Winter

Posted for Mark’s Automotive
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Winter takes its time getting to Southern Maryland. The radio may be full of songs about white Christmases, but it could be past the New Year before we see any of that frozen stuff.

So, while the temperature is still hanging around 50 degrees and you have some time off, think about getting your car ready for the cold early months of 2013.

Most of what is commonly referred to as “winterizing” a car is simply making sure that all systems are in working order. Start by checking your levels. Are the tires up to pressure? The warm and cold weather shifts this time of year can flex tires and cause them to lose air.

Pop your radiator cap and check the antifreeze level. If it’s low, top it off with a mixture of half antifreeze and half water.

Check your nearby belts and hoses to for any cracks or leaks.

And while you’re under the hood, fill up your windshield washer fluid, so you’ll have a fresh supply when the salt trucks come around.

Clean off your battery terminals and cables to ensure maximum power when you need to crank that cold engine. If your battery is more than three years old, consider taking it to your local mechanic to have the charge tested. It may need to be replaced.

Make sure your windshield is clean and replace the blades on your windshield wipers, since they may have spent too much time baking in the sun. You might want to make sure that your rear defroster still works too.

Do you have a four-wheel drive vehicle? Great! When was the last time you actually shifted it out of two-wheel drive? Might want to check how that’s working too.

Finally, if you don’t already have emergency supplies stashed in your vehicle, now would be a good time to do that. Some suggested contents:

• a blanket
• extra boots and gloves
• an extra set of warm clothes
• extra water and food, including hard candies
• an ice scraper
• a small shovel
• a flashlight
• windshield washer fluid
• windshield wipers
• flares
• jumper cables
• a tool kit
• a tire gauge
• a spare tire with air in it
• tire-changing equipment
• a first-aid kit
• paper towels
• a bag of abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter, which can provide additional traction if a tire gets stuck in snow.

Last, but certainly not least, make sure to change your oil and oil filter. The weather is still nice, if you want to do it yourself, but you can get it done for $15.99 if you get your car to Mark’s Automotive before Dec. 31 and present this coupon.

marksautomotivemd.com