| If you are lucky enough to live in a | | | | to check. Make sure the water level is |
| warm climate you may not have to worry | | | | filled correctly and if it needs more |
| about this, but for many winterizing | | | | use distilled water to level it off. |
| your car is essential. Not getting ready | | | | Since the battery can lose its charge in |
| for winter weather puts you at risk | | | | cold weather, you may want to get a |
| unnecessarily. The good thing is that | | | | plug-in charger. With this you plug it |
| these steps take almost no time at all | | | | in at night and attach it to your |
| and are not going to be to hard on your | | | | battery. In the morning you will be |
| wallet.Here are some common sense ways | | | | assured of a charged battery. This can |
| to prepare you for cold weather:Check | | | | make the difference between getting to |
| your Anti-Freeze. One of the most | | | | work on time or not. Portable versions |
| important things you can do is check | | | | are also available which can be kept in |
| your Anti-freeze. You should have your | | | | the car as you travel. You will then be |
| anti-freeze tested at least 2 times a | | | | able to jump the battery if it does not |
| year. You will probably want to change | | | | have enough power to get anywhere on its |
| it at least every 30,000 miles or every | | | | own.Oil. You can switch to lighter oil |
| 2 years. This keeps it at peak | | | | in the bitter cold months. This will |
| performance and prevents it from | | | | offer quicker lubrication of the engine |
| breaking down. Usually you will want to | | | | parts during colder periods.Tires. Tires |
| have it diluted with water. A 50/50 mix | | | | are important also. Some tires are all |
| is the normal ratio but the simple | | | | weather and give you decent traction in |
| directions on your specific brand of | | | | the snow. For those that are not you may |
| anti-freeze will tell you exactly what | | | | either want to switch to all weather |
| the proper mix is.Pressure Check for | | | | tires or get specially made snow tires. |
| Leaks. When you change your anti-freeze | | | | These have better traction but are not |
| you may want to pressure check the | | | | made for prolonged normal road use. |
| system. This will wash away any | | | | Another option is attaching snow chains |
| impurities, mineral deposits and rust | | | | to tires for increased |
| that may eventually clog the system. | | | | traction.Windshield Blades. Having |
| While in there, check for any visible | | | | proper windshield wiper blades can also |
| leaks around the hoses and clamps. You | | | | save you a lot of heartache as well. |
| will also want to make sure the belts | | | | These should be changed as you change |
| are tight and not frayed. One main | | | | your oil. Being able to see in a |
| reason you want to do this is because | | | | snowstorm is just as important as having |
| there is belt that drives the water | | | | your car start. Proper visibility is key |
| pump. If the belt is not circulating it | | | | to accident avoidance.Items you should |
| does not matter how new or unclogged | | | | have in the car as well to winterize it |
| your system is because you will have | | | | are: gloves, deicer, ice scraper, |
| problems. Having the cooling system | | | | anti-freeze, windshield washer fluid (to |
| checked regularly can save a lot of | | | | de-ice as you drive), salt or sand, old |
| heartache in the future and prevent you | | | | rug for tire traction, shovel, car cover |
| from walking in the snow instead of | | | | (to prevent icing) cell phone (you might |
| driving in it.Check the Battery. Another | | | | need to call for help), flashlight and |
| important part to check is the battery. | | | | extra wiper blades.All of these |
| Cold weather sucks the life right out of | | | | preventative measures are easy and not |
| a car battery. The performance of the | | | | expensive compared to the time and money |
| battery is decreased - a lot. | | | | you will spend fixing problems instead |
| Fortunately you can have your battery | | | | of avoiding them.Visit - For A |
| tested to make sure it is at peak | | | | Reliable Automobile Insurance |
| performance. You can bring your vehicle | | | | CompanyJames Diaz is a representative of |
| to most local service stations and have | | | | You can visit at or contact them at |
| the battery and electrical system | | | | 1-877-327-8728.CarInsurance.com's online |
| tested. If the battery is over 3 years | | | | insurance marketplace gives an |
| old this may be a good idea.Where does | | | | opportunity to consumers and to |
| you car fit for injury theft and | | | | insurance companies. We offer the |
| collision? What about your dream car? | | | | ability to shop for car insurance |
| Take a look at this run down based on | | | | online.Consumers can receive quotes from |
| 2000-2002 HLDI data:You can also | | | | many insurance companies, in some states |
| visually inspect your battery and make | | | | you are able to purchase your insurance |
| sure the contacts do not have corrosion | | | | instantly, online. You don't have to |
| on them. Most new batteries are | | | | drive your car to buy car insurance. Buy |
| maintenance free, but it is a good idea | | | | online... anytime! |