Checklist of Winter Car Care Tips

Winter is fast approaching. Most of us are looking forward to the colder weather, especially after an extremely hot summer. But did you know that most people don’t prepare for the changing of the seasons as they should? Hence the reason for this post-Winter Car Care Tips.

I will admit that I never really worried about getting my car ready for winter before because my dad always did that for me. And I married a mechanic, but with hubby working a lot of hours at his new job, I decided that it was my duty to find out ways I could get my car, the Malibu, ready for winter. So here are my winter car care tips.

First, I would like to say that if you know your way around an automobile than the first few things on the list you can do yourself. But if you aren’t comfortable just keep reading there will still be a few tips for you.

Change your oil. No matter what the season, this is probably one of the best things you can do for your car, If you have a car that has a lot of miles on it, you might want to consider buying a specialized oil for it. While you are changing the oil, don’t forget to change the oil filter as well.
Check your antifreeze. I know this is something I often forget to do in my car.
Along with the antifreeze you will want to make your battery is in tiptop condition. This is the tip that if you aren’t comfortable doing yourself it is better for a professional to check the charge for you.
Check the windshield washer fluid and your wipers. I am very particular about this. I am constantly using my wipers because I can’t stand a dirty window.
Get a tune-up. A professional mechanic is required for this.
Check your defroster and your heater in the car to make sure they are in proper working order. Also, make sure you have one or two ice scraper in your car. In fact, it wouldn’t hurt if you have more than two – because if your house is anything like mine, they somehow sprout legs and walk off by themselves. 😉
Check your Tyres or Tires. You will want to check the air pressure in each individual tire as well as the tread on each one. One of the simplest ways to check the tyre tread is to place a penny in between the treads, if you see Lincoln’s entire head, then it is time to replace them. You also want to make sure that you have the right tyres for your car, you can do that by checking with a professional. Now you can book tyre fitting service in Wakefield.
Keep your car filled with gas. Did you know that in the winter you are more likely to get condensation in your gas tank, so to avoid the extra water in your gas, you will want to make sure it is at least half-filled at all times
Also, keep a car emergency kit on hand for those occasions where you are stranded. Because let’s face it, even with the best planning accidents do happen. It is better to be prepared than to be caught unawares. I would suggest putting these items into your emergency kit -a few blankets, bottled waters, a bag of kitty litter ( to help you if you get stuck in the snow), non perishable food items, a flashlight, some extra gloves and socks and of course a small shovel (like the one you would use if you go camping)

Now that you have these winter car care tips, let me also give a little tip about driving on ice. If you start to skid DON’T slam on brakes. ( I know that is hard to do because it is always our first instinct when we want to slow down is to hit the brakes,) But instead of hitting the brakes, just simply take your foot off the gas and turn into the skid until you come to a complete stop.

( Side note: All of these tips need to be done to prepare your car for winter. However, think about your level of expertise and comfort before doing it yourself. You might think you are saving some money but if you don’t know your way around cars, it may cost you more than what a mechanic would charge.)