Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter
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Before Winter, Check Your Car’s
Cooling System
When coolant freezes it expands. This expansion can potentially damage your vehicle’s engine block. Don’t let this happen to your vehicle this winter.
You should:
• Make sure you have enough coolant in your vehicle and that it’s designed to withstand the winter temperatures you might experience in your area.
• See your vehicle owner’s manual for specific recommendations on coolant. A 50/50 mix of coolant to water is sufficient for most regions of the country.
• Thoroughly check the cooling system for leaks or have your mechanic do it for you.
• Check to see if your system has been flushed (draining the system and replacing the coolant). If it hasn’t been flushed for several years, have it done now. Over time, the rust inhibitors in antifreeze break down and become ineffective. Coolant also needs to be refreshed periodically to remove dirt and rust particles that can clog the cooling system and cause it to fail.
Before Winter, Check Your Car Battery
When the temperature drops, so does battery power. For gasoline-powered engines, be aware that it takes more battery power to start your vehicle in cold weather than in warm. For electric and hybrid vehicles, the driving range is reduced and the battery systems work better after they warm up. Make sure your battery is up to the challenges of winter by:
• Having your mechanic check your battery for sufficient voltage.
• Having the charging system and belts inspected.
• Replacing the battery or making system repairs, including simple things like tightening the battery cable connections.
• Making sure to keep fresh gasoline in an electric vehicle, to support the gasoline system.
Stock Your Vehicle For Winter
Carry items in your vehicle to handle common winter driving tasks, such as cleaning off your windshield, as well as any supplies you might need in an emergency. Keep the following on hand:
• Snow shovel, broom, and ice scraper.
• Abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter, in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow.
• Jumper cables, flashlight, and warning devices such as flares and markers.
• Blankets for protection from the cold.
• Cell phone with charger, water, food, and any necessary medicine (for longer trips or when driving in lightly populated areas).
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