A few basic things we need to inspect before cold weather hits are the battery, fan belt, washer fluid, wiper blades, heater and defroster operation, and your anti freeze or coolant protection level. Also recommended to insure safety in most conditions would be a good flashlight, a small bag of playground sand, a light blanket and set of gloves.
Your battery is a necessary item to operate the vehicle; checks of the electrolyte (water/acid) level are a must. A badly discharged battery can freeze. This condition could lead to an explosion when trying to start your car or trying to jump start a non-starting vehicle. Remember you need a fully charged battery if for no other reason than to run your hazard lights in the event of some trouble.
Check your drive belts, many of our later year model vehicles only have one belt and monthly visual inspection is suggested. Look for glazing or deterioration, have a friend bump the engine with the key so that it rotates and the entire belt can be glanced at and not just certain areas of it.
The winter time usually presents the largest amount of work for your wipers; both blades should be intact and clean the windshield completely without leaving streaks. An often over looked item is the washer fluid, special cleaners are suggested, these can be purchased almost anywhere and protects the system from freezing, clean the window better and provides a safer system for the driver.
A simple check that can prove extremely helpful driving the colder months is a test of your heater/defrost system. Try these out before you need them to insure proper operation and a more comfortable driving experience.
Radiator condition, antifreeze content and a visual inspection of hoses and clamps need to be done periodically but especially important is the antifreeze content during cold months operation. Check for external leaks, if you have to add coolant regularly during your inspection the system has to have some form of leak. Look at the condition of hoses and related transfer items, tell-tale evidence of a dry crust around the sealing areas are indications of at least small seeps. Use an antifreeze tester to determine your protection level. If the coolant is over two years old or found to be rusty you may need to have the system flushed; however, some new coolants come red in color so be certain of your needs before performing work you may not need. Each car has specific needs, check with a trained repair facility or your owners manual whenever questions arise.
The following also should be checked: ignition system, fuel system, brakes, exhaust system, wiper blades, snow tires, tire tread, defroster, proper grade oil, cooling system and lights.
The sand, blanket, flashlight and gloves are suggestions to help you in the event of some problem that may occur during these next few months while you are on the road.
Hopefully these winter tips can help you to experience only the fun times of the upcoming holiday season and your vehicle will be able to serve you with a trouble free winter.
Winter Safety Kit – Whether you’re heading for the mountains or planning a long road trip, it’s a good idea to store a few items in an old duffel bag or backpack in the trunk of your car in case of emergency:
- Battery jumper cables
- Large flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid supplies
- Extra blanket and some warm clothing
- Battery-powered radio with spare batteries
- Basic tool kit (screwdriver, pliers, adjustable wrench)
- Bottled water and non-perishable food
- Highway safety flares in good condition
- Windshield ice scraper
- Replacement electrical fuses (check owner’s manual for specifics)
