Prepare your car now for winter driving

Prepare your car now for winter driving

By: ROBINSON/BEINTEMA AUTOFILES

The weather is turning cooler, the leaves are turning red and gold, and winter is right around the corner. Now is the perfect time to prepare your car before the first arctic blast hits. Spending a little time now may save you from being stranded along an icy road in January.

To get your car ready, there are some critical items that need to be checked.

This doesn't have to be a time-consuming process, and you don't have to do it all yourself. You can take your car to your local fast lube center and have them inspect your car to make sure your vehicle is ready for the colder months ahead.

But what do you need to make sure they check? In addition to checking your fluids, the battery is probably one of the most critical items on your checklist.

The lifespan of a battery is normally three years, but harsh winter weather can cut that in half, so it is better to have it checked now to avoid being stranded in below freezing conditions.

The antifreeze/coolant reservoir should be checked to make sure the fluid levels are where they should be, and the proper fluid should be added if needed. The windshield wiper blades should be inspected to make sure they are not cracked or warped.

The last thing you want to happen in the middle of a snowstorm is for your wipers to fail. You can also add de-icing windshield wiper fluid that will help keep your windshield clear when the temperatures drop below freezing.

If you have recently purchased a car, it probably has a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) which alerts you when your tires are not inflated to the correct levels.

You just might find that as the temperature drops the alarm will sound. If your car does not have one of these systems, be sure to check your tire pressure frequently during the winter and summer.

Tires that are over or under-inflated can lead to poor alignment and possible blowouts -- something you definitely want to avoid when the roads are covered in ice and the temperatures are below freezing.

An additional bonus to keeping your tires inflated properly is that you will get better gas mileage and save money at the pump.

Speaking of the pump, you should keep your gas tank at least half full in the winter to prevent gas lines from freezing, and make sure the gas cap is on tight.

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