Eight Essential Tips To Prepare Your Car for Winter

Do you find yourself feeling a little more sluggish whenever the winter season rolls around? Do those cold, blustery mornings always make it a little harder to get out of bed and get yourself moving? If so, then it's probably no surprise to learn that harsh winter weather can have the same effect on your car.

As temperatures drop, the fluids in your engine become thicker and more viscous. Rubber hoses, belts and gaskets stiffen and become more brittle. Batteries output less power. These and other changes can take a real toll on your vehicle, which is why it's so important to make sure you're prepared for cold weather. Before the flakes start flying, put your mind at ease and follow these foolproof steps to winterize your car like a pro.

Test Your Car Battery

If your car has ever gone dead on a frigid winter morning, you know the cold is your battery's natural enemy. Most vehicles are equipped with lead-acid batteries that generate electrical energy through a chemical reaction between lead and sulfuric acid. This reaction slows down at lower temperatures, resulting in less power being produced. Depending on the condition and capacity of your battery, this drop in output may be enough to prevent your car from starting.

To avoid this, simply visit a service station or auto parts store to have your battery tested for free. This will help you assess whether it's capable of performing properly in winter. If an upgrade is necessary, choose a battery rated for at least 600 cold cranking amps (CCA) to ensure optimal reliability in any conditions.

Change Your Fluids

Preventive maintenance is important throughout the year, but it's especially critical once temperatures start dropping. To keep your vehicle running reliably, pop the hood and take a closer look at the following fluids: