How to care for your car in cold weather - AmericaNowNews.com

Is your car ready for snow and ice?

Brutal winter conditions can really give our cars a beating. But our auto pro, Steve Strope, has some great tips on how you can make sure that your car survives Mother Nature's wrath.

Steve says that to winterize your car, you should start with the wipers.

"Take a look at your windshield wiper blades. You can see the little hinges and arms that move in the blade assembly -- they need to stay curved to the windshield so that they can wipe your glass clean," he says. "The problem is that in the winter ice and snow can freeze these solid and then they're not doing their job."

Compare your old blade with a new all-weather blade. Notice it has no linkage to get frozen, just a nice flexible piece that will stay good no matter what the conditions. And a nice spoiler built into it, to help hold it down onto the glass when you're driving at speed.

In cold weather states a lot of people have snow tires, but in the warmer states usually you have a set of chains. These are important to have because if you head up to the mountains, they are required by law in some areas.

"Installing chains can be a little bit difficult, so when you purchase them, try fitting them on in your driveway in nice weather, so you know how to do it when you're stuck out in the snow," Steve says.

"This would be a good time to check your anti-freeze level too," he continues. "Make sure the engine's cold; you don't want to get burned by hot fluid under pressure. Pull your cap off and check your levels. Go to your manual to make sure where the level is supposed to be, and if you need some, top it off. If not, put your cap back on, and you're ready to roll!"

Copyright 2011 America Now. All rights reserved.

  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular Stories

  • Every pet owner knows a dog can get into just about anything around the house. One woman found that out the hard way when her dog ate a bunch of grapes! Turns out, that's one of the most dangerous foods
    Every pet owner knows a dog can get into just about anything around the house. But these common snacks could be fatal for Fido.
  • The United States Secret Service says that counterfeiting of U.S. currency could victimize anyone who doesn't carefully examine the money they're using.
    The United States Secret Service says that counterfeiting of U.S. currency could victimize anyone who doesn't carefully examine the money they're using.
  • Mice are one of the most resilient mammals living on the planet. Some people have them as pets, and they're also used in laboratory experiments. If wild mice get inside your house, they can potentially
    If wild mice find a way inside your home, they can potentially cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your drywall and insulation. They can also transmit a harmful disease which can cause death in humans. 
Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and America Now. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.