5 Steps to Winterizing Your Car

Before the snow starts to fall and your roads become coated in ice, make sure your car is properly "winterized." More auto accidents happen during the winter than any other time of year, and these 5 simple steps will help you avoid becoming part of this statistic. You'll not only potentially save lives; you'll also decrease your chances of incurring an accident that could have devastating effects on your insurance premiums.

1. Check Fluids
• Replace or top off important fluids in your car: Anti-freeze and windshield washer fluid.

The anti-freeze mix should be a 50 percent anti-freeze, 50 percent water mixture. This is paramount to a proper functioning motor - especially when temps drop below freezing - and should protect you down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do this yourself, remember that old anti-freeze is toxic and needs to be properly disposed of at an auto parts store.

Keep windshield washer fluid topped off as dirty winter roads and snow can blind you in an instant. A pure water solution will not suffice during the cold winter months, so use the real stuff.

While you're at it, changing those wiper blades isn't a bad idea either since they usually lose effectiveness after 1 year. Remember too that whenever you park your car during a snow storm, you should raise your wipers above the windshield. This prevents them from freezing to it and damaging them.

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2. Check the Battery

Cold temperatures can severely reduce the life of your battery, so have it tested to make sure it holds a good charge.

Also, make sure you aren't relying on corroded battery cables. You can clean them yourself by submersing them in a water and baking soda solution.

3. Tires

You need all the traction you can get during winter months; it's good to check the tread to make sure it is not too worn down.

And since cold air decreases air pressure, see if you need to bump up the pressure in your tires to meet the recommended level, which also benefits traction.

If you live in a hilly or snowy area, or simply get inordinately poor traction with your all-season tires, consider having snow tires put on for the winter months.

4. Doors

You don’t want to get frozen out of your car. You can keep your doors swinging even during sub-zero temps, by applying a coat of petroleum jelly to the door hinges and latches.

If it's your lock that's frozen, use a lighter to heat the key briefly before putting it into the lock and turning it. They also sell a de-icer for just such an occasion.

5. Pack an Emergency Kit

Put together a kit for the back of your car. It should consist of jumper cables, flares, flashlights (with spare batteries), tire chains, a lighter, an ice scraper, a shovel, and a tool kit.

Keep a few pounds of kitty litter or sand in the trunk in case you need some traction on ice.

Finally, make sure your kit keeps you in mind too. Bring blankets, first aid supplies, and a few candy bars.

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