Getting Your Car Ready for Winter Driving

Preparing your car or automobile for winter driving will decrease the chances of costly problems and aggravation you may experience. Depending on the location where you live, winter driving can be very pleasant or a real challenge, and steps should be considered to be prepared accordingly
to any climate change. Older cars or cars with high mileage should get more attention, in preparation for winter driving. National Car Care Council showed that more than seventy percent of motorists do not winterize their cars, in preparation of colder months. This can result in cooling systems failure, in engine roadside breakdowns.

Outlined are precautionary steps should be considered:

Test the car horn, make sure working loud and clear.

Check shocks and struts, if they need to be replaced, by pushing down on the hood, and observing if the car bounces more then normal.

Check for damaged, cracks or loose rubber hoses, and drive belts because that can make a car inoperable in very cold weather.

Check filters and fluids thoroughly for maximum efficiency. Make sure nothing is obstructing the filters, including any leaves or dirt.

Check the pH concentration of the cooling system: Mixer should have fifty percent good quality antifreeze and fifty percent water. Climates where the temperature could fall below twenty degrees then increase the antifreeze to seventy percent, and thirty percent water.

Change Antifreeze every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. Not changing antifreeze can cause contaminants like rust, sediment or oil to change colors that causes chemical breakdown over time, which can renders antifreeze ineffective.

Have the car battery and charging system tested, especially if the battery is within one year of expired warranty. A car battery will loose about 30 percent of power in freeze temperatures, and 60 percent at zero degree temperature. Make sure the battery has no corrosion, clean cables, and no problems starting a car. Clean the top of the battery with a solution of baking soda and water.