Winter officially begins on Wednesday, December 22, 2010. That means the snow and ice that we experienced last year will be here soon. Driving in these conditions is always a challenge. We should all be checking our cars in order to prepare for the upcoming winter. Here are some things that you should consider:
- Be sure that you have the proper amount of anti-freeze in your car;
- Tires – since cold weather reduces the pressure in your tires, you should check them frequently and maintain the proper amount of pressure;
- Put an emergency kit in your car. You should include in the kit: blankets, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, drinking water, and jumper cables;
- Make sure that your windshield wipers do not need replacing;
- If you have a diesel car you should consider having an electric engine heater installed;
- Replace cracked, glazed or frayed drive belts and visibly worn, excessively soft or bulging coolant hoses;
- Consider putting a small shovel in your car; and
- Be sure to drive slowly and carefully – we all know that helpless feeling when you are skidding on ice