Have Shari Teach You About Cars

When winter is on the horizon, you need to do more than just get your sweaters and coats out of storage to prepare; you also need to prepare your car.

With the winter comes cold temperatures, snow and ice, and in order to ensure that your car is ready to take on these conditions is not only good for its health, but it is crucial for your safety. So, before Old Man Winter blows in, make sure your car is prepared to take on the hazardous winter weather. Here's a look at some of the key winterizing tips that you need to attend to.

Test Your Battery

Make sure you get your car's battery tested before the cold weather rolls in. Frigid temperatures can wreck havoc on a car's battery. Why? – Because the electrical system needs to work a lot harder in the cold, which means the battery has to work a lot harder. All of that hard work means the battery is more prone to losing power.

To determine if it will have enough juice to survive the winter, you can use a voltmeter; or, you can take it to your mechanic to have it checked out.

Check the Coolant System

A car's coolant system not only prevents the engine from overheating and protects the engine from corrosion. Cold temperatures can greatly increase the chances for corrosion. To ensure your engine is protected during the cold weather, make sure it is operating with an ethylene glycol coolant. If you're unsure about the coolant, have a mechanic check it for you.

Be Prepared for Frozen Locks

Freezing temperatures, snow and ice can cause a car's locks to freeze. If you insert the key and it doesn't easily turn, don't push it; you'll end up with a broken key and you'll be in an even bigger predicament.

To protect yourself from a potential freeze-out, keep a bottle of glycerine on your person. If the locks freeze up, you can just apply some of this de-icer to them and they'll be unstuck. (Don't keep it in your glove box, as it won't do you any good if you can't get to it because the locks are frozen.)

Fill Up on Windshield Washer Fluid

Driving behind another car on a slushy road will lead to dirt, grim and slush being kicked up on your windshield. Make sure to tap off your windshield washer fluid so you can wipe away the sludge that gets deposited on your windshield. A fluid that contains antifreeze is the best choice, as it won't freeze up when the temperatures are below freezing. 

Talk to places like Sterling Service Inc for more information.