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Winter Car Care

Mark Alexopouls explains how to care for your car this winter

· Car,Car Care,Auto Industry

Winter is upon us, and for many drivers, that means challenging winter weather and road conditions. Snowy roads, icy streets, lots of salt and freezing temperatures can impede your driving and damage your car. However, following these preventative winter care can help you prepare for this winter season.

Replace Wiper Blades

Wiper blades are a necessity for winter weather, and unfortunately, need to be replaced more often than you think. Consumer Reports found that wiper blades lose their effectiveness in as little as six months, and you can improve their lifetime by cleaning the rubber edge periodically.

New Tires

Winter-grade tires are built to perform better in snowy conditions and are designed to grip ice and snow for optimum traction. Depending on your location, if you live in an area where ice and snow occur often, consider buying tires dedicated for winter. If your location gets occasional snow, all-season tires can also do the trick. Be sure to keep your tires in good shape, including keeping them properly inflated.

Keep Battery in Good Shape

Cold temperatures hurt your battery’s performance and cause a lot of stranded cars in the winter. You can have your battery professionally tested, or you can perform a check on your own. No matter what, be sure to know how to jump-start a car and keep winter essentials (gloves, scarf, hat) handy in case of a dead battery.

Gas and Washer Fluid

During winter months, be sure to keep both your gasoline and windshield wiper fluid full. Condensation can build if the gas tank is not full, causing fuel lines to freeze if the temperature is low enough. Additionally, if your gas tank gets low, it makes it harder for the fuel pump to keep cool. It is also important to keep your windshield wiper fluid full because it can clean salt off of your windshield.

Pack a Survival Kit

As previously mentioned, it is important to keep winter essentials handy in case of bad weather. Be sure to have a windshield scraper, flashlight, cold weather clothing, emergency flares, salt and water accessible in your car.

As temperatures continue to drop, be sure to follow these preventative winter car care tips. Planning ahead of time can prevent accidents or issues from occurring as well as being prepared in case of emergency.

Mark Alexopoulos is a leading entrepreneur and technology expert in the automotive remarketing industry. Check out his automotive blog or follow him on Twitter!

This article was originally published on Mark Alexopouslos's Blog.