Discussions

Are you ready for winter ? Is your car ready for winter ?  
 
While driving to work Friday morning I realized my wipers were working rather badly, (iced up) and maybe it was time to get the car checked for winter. It's something we all should do, but with the nice long fall we've had it was easy to put off. I thought I would put a list of things together that I feel are important for a less troublesome winter season. Take from the list what you will, and feel free to add anything I may miss.  
 
Some of these items will be things the car owner may be able to do themselves, others will require equipment or skills all vehicle owners don't posses. Anything that is not fully understood or exceeds ones capabilities should be referred to your regular mechanic.  
 
An oil & filter change is a good way to head into winter. A quality oil, either synthetic or regular oil, of the correct weight for your engine (your owners manual will spell out what you should use). Changing your oil now will get rid of any built up moisture, as well as any other contaminates before the cold weather really sets in. If your vehicle's steering and suspension has grease fittings, a lubrication is a good idea too. This would be an ideal time to make sure all the vehicles fluid levels are correct and make sure there are no leaks.  
 
Antifreeze is going to be important !!! DON'T OPEN THE SYSTEM WHEN HOT !!! The coolant should be full and clean and when tested for strength it should be good to about -40*, I would prefer -45*. There are a few types of antifreeze used so make sure you know what type to add before you pour.  
 
Cold weather diminishes the amount of available power from your battery. It would be wise to have the battery checked to make sure it has the reserve capacity needed to get you started on those frigid mornings we all dread. Also make sure the battery cable connections are clean and tight. Testing the charging system (alternator) will help ensure the battery stays charged.  
 
So many of the newer cars start so well the block heater gets neglected, but there still may be those days it's needed. If the cord end has been dragging on the road all summer long it won't help much on that -40* day. Check it out, make sure it can help you when you need it.  
 
The cold is tough on rubber parts, the belts and hoses under the hood keep things working and the fluids where they are supposed to be. Better to know the condition of your belts and hoses than to find out halfway to Grandma's house you have a problem.  
 
When the days get cold we roll up the windows and turn up the heat, our need for fresh air seems less important than staying warm. If your exhaust system is loud, noisy or leaking you might be getting carbon monoxide (deadly) inside the car. If you think you might have an exhaust system leak the cold weather is no time to ignore it. Remember too, the little ones riding in the back seat, your most precious cargo, may be affected more quickly than you are.  
 
As I stated above, wipers seem to be challenged with winter conditions. There are some newer wipers on the market today that some claim do a much better job than conventional wipers. The blade and body are one piece, nothing much ice can stick to and cause problems with. There is also the older style winter wiper blade with a rubber boot over the moving parts to keep ice and snow out. Nothing is going to be perfect all winter, just make sure what you decide to use is in good condition and try too keep ice and snow from building up around the wipers. Windshield washers that work properly, with winter fluid, will help along the way.  
 
As I'm sure we all have noticed, we don't have near the daytime we enjoy all summer. If all our lights are working it's easier to see and be seen.  
 
Tires, what to do, well, Quebec says you need four winter tires. The rest of the country seems to be less concerned. We all know we need good tires in the winter, not just on the drive wheels, but on all four wheels. Check the pressure regularly through the season to help them work properly.  
 
Have a good winter.