Tips on Winterizing Your Car
A good place to start is from the bottom up. Look at the tread on your tires and see if they are worn down from summer-month driving. If there is wear and tear on your treads, then it could cause hydroplaning in winter driving.
The easiest way to check for this is to insert Abe Lincoln’s head-from a penny-into a couple of spots on each tire. The September 20 Fulton County Shopper warns that if you can see the top of Abe’s head, then “your tread is less than one-sixteenth of an inch deep-below the level where you can count on it in slippery conditions.” Your tires will need to be replaced.
Work your way up from the tires to the body of the car. Check the paintwork for dirt and rust, which age the vehicle. As a general rule, a good car/truck/SUV wash every week or two will benefit the health of your outer vehicle. So, before the winter months set in along with the excuses of the weather getting too cold, wash and put a good coat of wax on for a nice protective sheen. There are plenty of brands which will meet your requirements for how often to apply and the type of finish you want. If you have an inkling for reapplying car wax every month, as recommended by most brands, then sure, go for it. But, if you are like most of us, a once-every-few-years coat will do. For that, 5 Star Shine is the way to go.
5 Star Shine’s main ingredient is PTFE, the same substance found in nonstick cookware, and provides that protective coating. Each kit covers 250 square feet of car, enough for even a large SUV. And there’s no need to remove your old wax build-up before you begin. The first step in the kit will do that for you. A new car will sport the wax for up to five years, while an older car will not need to be treated again for another two to three years.
According to Miss Thang, a contributing writing to Suite 101.com, other ideas for keeping your car in tiptop shape for the changing seasons are to keep your gas tank at least a quarter full or above at all times to help prevent your gas line from freezing. Have a car emergency kit prepared. “Be sure to include: first aid kit, jumper cables, fix-a-flat, duct or electrical tape, adjustable crescent wrench, Philips and flathead screwdrivers, pliers, tow rope, reflectors and flares, funnels and extra fluids (oil, power steering, etc.), spare towels or shop rags, and flashlights with batteries, candles with matches or lightsticks.”
Other useful items include a collapsible shovel, extra ice scraper, kitty litter (for traction in case you have to get yourself out of a snowy patch), and extra blankets, clothing and winter-wear such as hats, gloves and thick socks. It’s also a good idea to have a cell phone or TracFone (a pay as you go phone, great to keep in your car for emergencies, found at www.tracfone.com) available and a supply of non-perishable food items. All of these can fit in your trunk or in the back seat if you travel light on passengers. One word of warning though: do not travel with any sharp objects in your back seat, such as a shovel or other type of tool. In case of an accident, you could be hurt by these objects if they are left loose and flying. It is better to keep them in the trunk.
These preparations are practical and can be done relatively quickly. Unless you check your own fluids, have your friendly neighborhood auto shop spot check for any problem areas they may see. They will let you know if they recommend that you bring your auto in for any serious work or repairs before the winter months.
