How to Prepare Your Car For Winter

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By oneloved
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Prepare Your Car For Winter

Is your car ready for winter weather? Here's how to make sure!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Give your car a thorough check-up: ignition, brakes, tires, filters, battery, wiring, hoses, fan belts, windshield wipers. Check your fluid levels, especially antifreeze.
Step 2

Make sure your windshield wiper fluid contains a rain-repellant or deicer solution, depending on where you live. Wipe the inside of your windshield and windows with an anti-fogging solution, and keep extra wipes in your glove compartment.
Step 3

Keep a properly fitting set of tire chains in your trunk. Also carry a spare tire (properly inflated), jack, shovel, salt (or kitty litter), ice scraper, and jumper cables.
Step 4

Compile an emergency kit to carry in the trunk: flashlight w/ batteries, waterproof matches, first aid kit, flares and/or reflective triangles, string, scissors, and food (jerky, nuts, granola bars, and other high-protein options). Keep a bag with emergency blanket, extra coat, socks, mittens, and other means of warmth in the car at all times, in case you get stranded.
Step 5

Make sure you always have a fully-charged cell-phone with you, especially if visibility is low or the roads are wet or icy. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
Step 6

If you have a baby or small child, always keep a back-up diaper bag in the car so you have everything you need to care for your baby in an emergency. See my article "How to Stock Up A Diaper Bag" for more info.