ePod Car

Winter is approaching, and fast!  Rain, sleet and snow can all cause damage to your vehicle, but luckily there are precautions to take to insure your safety and your car’s livelihood throughout the winter months.  Get your car ready for the coldest months of the year with these five easy steps!

1.     Get an oil change.

Getting an oil change should be something done every 3,000 miles or so, but still – getting one before winter starts is an absolute must do!  Make sure the oil used is the right thickness, as oil thickens in the cold.

2.     If you have four-wheel drive, make sure it is working!

Many SUVs offer four-wheel drive, which is an asset of having a large vehicle during the winter months.  But many people don’t use four-wheel drive for months at a time, so it is important to make sure it is working properly before for the first snowfall!

3.     Clean your car as well as possible.

To some, our cars are our most prized possessions.  Unfortunately, if you live somewhere where snow is a possible precipitation, the exterior surface of your most prized possession could be compromised. Give your car a complete detailing, including a car wax before it starts to snow.  Not only will this make it easier to clear off snow and ice, it will protect the paint on your car!  Inside your car, be sure to remove all trash, vacuum and get a new air freshener. If you want to go the extra mile, consider swapping carpet floor mats for rubber ones.

4.      Stock your car with winter necessities.

Though it may seem like a no-brainer, make sure you have the supplies you need before the first snowfall. You will definitely need an ice scraper and a brush, and maybe even a shovel!  You should also include a first aid emergency kit in your trunk, along with a flashlight, jumper cables and flares.  You never know what is going to happen on the road, especially during winter time when streets are at their worst.  To go above and beyond, keep bottled water, snacks and a blanket somewhere in your vehicle too!

5.     Check or swap your windshield wipers. 

Windshield wipers are some of the most important auto accessories during the winter months.  Seeing through darkness and wintery weather conditions can be difficult as it is, and without working windshield wipers it is downright impossible.  Make sure you purchase high-quality wipers for winter use, outfitted with protective shields.  Also, don’t forget to replace your windshield wiper fluid with winter fluid!  Fluid used in the summer and other months will freeze up and be useless when you really need to wash your windshield.

Good luck out there this winter!  It can be a tough world out there on the roads, especially during winter.  But if you follow these five tips, you should be on your way to a safe winter ride!  What tips do you have for winterizing your vehicle?  Let us know in the comments below.

Diane Ferraro is an expert in a variety of topics.  She likes to share her knowledge with the world by blogging!  When she is not blogging, she enjoys spending time with her twin daughters.