10 Auto Winterizing Tips

CarMax's automotive service technicians offer these ten winterizing tips:

1. Check your anti-freeze. The best ratio of anti-freeze to water is 50/50. The No. 1 cause of engine-related breakdowns is cooling system failure. To prevent those breakdowns, have your cooling system flushed every two years.
   
   
2. Replace your windshield wiper blades twice a year. Fill the windshield washer reservoir with freeze resistant wiper fluid (plain water and standard windshield washer fluid will freeze) and keep an extra gallon in the trunk.
   
   
3. Check your battery. If the battery is more than three years old, have a technician test its capacity. Have the alternator tested at the same time. Make sure the battery terminal ends are corrosion-free.
   
   
4. Check your tire pressure. Check the pressure when the tires are cold, and set the pressure to the car manufacturer's recommendations for your specific tires. When the weather turns cold, the air inside the tire will contract and the pressure will drop.
   
   
5. Look at the tread depth on your tires. Put a penny headfirst between the treads. If you can see the top of Lincoln's hair, it's time to replace the tire.
   
   
6. Check your spare tire. Make sure it has the proper air pressure and tread depth and that all the proper tire-changing equipment is in the vehicle.
   
   
7. Make sure your lights, heater and defrosters are working properly.
   
   
8. Check all rubber hoses and belts to ensure they are not damaged. Coolant hoses wear from the inside out. Inspect for heavy cracks or chunking in the belts. Alternatively, have a professional inspect all hoses and belts.
   
   
9. Have your car's brake system checked. If you haven't had the system inspected in the last six months, have this performed.
   
   
10. Assemble a winter emergency kit for the trunk of your vehicle. It should include a blanket, extra boots and gloves, an ice scraper, windshield washer fluid, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, flares, a small snow shovel, a flashlight, kitty litter (for traction when stuck in snow) and bottled water.
    "It's a good idea to have a full gas tank," Damon said. "You never know when you will be caught in a storm or need to change routes."

Along with following these tips, it's also important to read your owner's manual and follow the manufacturer's recommended service schedules. Not only will these tips keep you safe in the winter months but they can also improve your vehicle's mileage while also preventing future repairs down the road.

Homeowners, Time to Winterize!

Conduct a Roof Inspection: A professional roof inspection can identify roof damage while it still costs hundreds, instead of thousands, of dollars to fix. This inspection should also tell you the condition of your attic ventilation, key in preventing the formation of destructive ice dams. If you simply can't come up with the $200-$300 fee, at the very least conduct your own visual inspection to look for signs of wear-and-tear.

Make it Green: The most energy-efficient roof really depends on your location. Metal roofing works best for warmer climates, but an upgrade to roof insulation is universally green and a great idea before winter hits.

Clean your Gutters: Probably the most common and least neglected task of the bunch, don't take your gutter cleaning for granted. Proper cleaning involves more than just throwing easy-to-reach leaves out of the channel. Flush your downspouts and keep an eye out for any signs of gutter deterioration.

Make it Green: Retrofit your gutters to collect rainwater and snow melt next spring and summer to aid your lawn irrigation.

Insulate and Seal Windows: If you don't already have double-pane windows, it's time to jump on the bandwagon. With heating costs, few home improvements pay for themselves as quickly as replacement windows. If you simply can't afford it, use thick plastic covers or blankets to help out in the meantime. And regardless of the number of panes, take a look at your window frame. It may need new sealant.

Make it Green: Truly green windows are more than just double-paned. Different glazes will allow you to use daylighting techniques, and window treatments will allow you to block the heat gain of next summer's mid-afternoon sun.

Seal and Inspect Doors: Some homeowners pay so much attention to their windows that they forget their doors. Take a look at your entry door for air leaks and use weatherstripping to help seal the joints. Take a look at your garage door, too, for both insulation and home security value.

Make it Green: A new wood door for the entry, garage, or both will increase your home's curb appeal and it's insulating R-value simultaneously.

Evaluate the Furnace/Heating System: This one has a ton of upside. Catching problems with your heating system before winter hits almost always saves a bunch of money and will give you some time to plan for a replacement system, if necessary. If nothing else, at least change the filter, no matter the age or condition of your system.

Make it Green: For replacement systems, start with the big ideas first. Get an estimate for geothermal heating and cooling. If that doesn't pan out, take a look at split-system heat pumps or furnaces with an Energy Star label.

Winterize Your Landscaping: Just because you'll be spending most of the winter indoors doesn't mean all your maintenance is on the home itself. Properly close your swimming pool, winterize your sprinkler system, and prepare your garden for next year's planting.

Make it Green: Take the winter to grade your personal landscaping conservation practices. Is it time to start composting? How much water would you save with a fully-automated sprinkler system? Is there a good spot to plant a new tree in the spring?

Miscellaneous and Emergency Preparation: For most homes, winter means the looming possibility of snow and/or ice storms. A back-up generator is a great idea, but still no substitute for an emergency kit, complete with food and water, a reliable radio, and first-aid kit. Investing in a snow blower isn't a bad idea, either, especially for older homeowners who are vulnerable to heart problems.

Make it Green: Don't worry about saving the planet, until you've first saved yourself and your loved ones. Still, a back-up generator will, among other things, help make sure plumbing lines don't freeze and burst. After all, burst pipes harm both your household and your local environment.


Thanks to ServiceMagic.com