Winterize Your Car
By: Candace Hutchins
Updated: December 7, 2007
With the winter weather we're expecting, it's time to get your engine running and make sure your car's belts, fluids, and most importantly tires are ready for the possible snow and ice. Steve Clemann has been in the car maintenance industry for 14 years and says there are three important things to remember when it comes to winterizing your car. First, your antifreeze. Not only does it keep your engine from freezing up but it provides lubricant for your cooling system and without it, your engine could lock up. Steve also suggests checking your belts, your serpantine belt in particular, which like most of your belts is made of rubber and the extreme cold temperatures tend to age them. But most importantly, Steve says, are your tires, and for good reason.
"Tires are very important in the winter because the cold air zaps the tires. It's like a hot air balloon and the cold air against the friction of driving, the air expands in the tire", says Steve Clemann.
So if you do these things and remember maintenance is the key, hopefully you won't find yourself in a service shop far after the snow has melted away.
