by Mel L.

Created on: November 24, 2011   Last Updated: December 20, 2011

It’s official, winter is here. Between winterizing your house and family gatherings, winter is a time of preparation; but most especially for your car.

Here are seven quick hints and tips for winterizing your vehicle; so you can be sure you can make any engagement, whether it’s a gathering or work, this chilly season.

1). Check Up? - Before the winter season it is important to take your vehicle to the shop for routine maintenance. Get the oil changed, check your battery, and insure everything is right as rain with your vehicle. Show a little TLC and your car is likely to appreciate and reciprocate.

2). Give the Tires a Kick - Air has the tendency to shrink when temperatures get below freezing. With every ten degree drop the climate experiences past freezing, you can expect your tires to lose one pound per square inch. So, check your tires to insure proper traction on treacherous winter roads.

3). Frozen? - Check your anti-freeze mixture. It should be a fifty-fifty combo of water and antifreeze. This proper mixture will prevent the cooler in your radiator from freezing over. If you have no clue as to what is in there already, go by your local auto parts store, or store with a solid auto section,  and pick-up an anti-freeze tester. They’re cheap, and well worth it if you’re unsure.

6). Hello, Kitty! - Kitty litter is excellent for getting your car out of the snow and ice. In the event the vehicle should get stuck, wedge some kitty litter in front and in back of your tires. As the kitty litter adheres to the moisture it will form a small, clay-like bank; this should give your vehicle traction when backing up and going forward.

5). Fill ‘er Up! - Come the cold winter season it is best to keep your gas tank filled; else wise, you run the risk of frozen gas lines.

6). Tires? - If you live in an area with a rough, hilly, or otherwise hard to navigate terrain get some snow tires. The softer rubber they’re made of makes traction on icy, or snowy, terrain easier than otherwise.

7). Be Prepared! - Long winter trips can be treacherous. So in the event planning and vehicle maintenance fail, it is good to keep a winter emergency kit handy.

Such items in your winter emergency kit should include:

* Good Reading Material - it’s very distracting; putting you in a different place while waiting for assistance. It makes being stranded easier.

*Items to Distract Young Children in the Event of a Any Breakdown - if you’re bringing any young ones

*Water - it's important to stay hydrated

* Energy Bars and other Energy Charged Snackage

* Blankets

* Warm Clothes, Boots, and Jackets

* Flashlight

* A Tool Kit

* Extra Windshield Wipers and Fluid

* Flares

* Jumper Cables

* Ice Scraper

* Small Shovel

* Tire Chains and Gauge

Happy and safe travels to you!

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