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