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Tech Thursday: Winter Preparedness

by M Mayder

Winter is creeping closer and closer, with snow already making an appearance in the Midwest. If you live in a place where the temperatures dip below freezing, it’s a wise idea to make sure your car is prepped for winter. For this week’s Tech Thursday, here are some things you should do to winterize your car:

Car in Snow

  1. Battery: Cold weather can reduce your battery’s life by up to half, so get your battery tested, and replace it if necessary.
  2. Tires: Winter or summer, saving gas, or staying on the road, it all comes down to tired. For winter, make sure they have adequate pressure, and also make sure the treads are in good condition. This is a good time to rotate your tires, or replace them with snow tires, if necessary.
  3. Wipers: Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition. If the blades show any signs of tearing or cracking, or if they leave bad streaks or smears on the windshield, replace them. If you live in a place prone to snow and ice, you might want to consider special winter-friendly wiper blades.
  4. Fluids: Keep your gas tank at least half full all the time to keep the gas lines from freezing, and make sure you have enough antifreeze as well. This is also a good time to replenish the washing fluid for your windshield with a winter blend to help reduce ice.
  5. Emergency Preparedness: Along with a first-aid kit, make sure your trunk holds a flashlight, jumper cables, a tool kit, and tire chains if snow and ice are an issue. Also, a bag of sand or kitty litter can be invaluable if you get stuck in snow or ice, either for traction, or just to add weight. Packing a blanket and matches or a propane lighter is wise also.

Winter driving doesn’t have to be dangerous, and getting caught in weather doesn’t have to be deadly. Keep your car well-maintained, drive sensibly, and stay warm.


Posted in Safety, Tech Thursday on November 7th, 2007

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One Response to “Tech Thursday: Winter Preparedness”

  1. Milwaukee, WI » Blog Archive » Winter Driving Says:
    December 4th, 2007 at 11:23 am

    […] of being able to handle your car in winter is having a car that is ready to handle winter driving. Automotive Blogger has some great tips for readying your car for winter driving - it isn’t too late to get that […]

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