Winterizing your car

On our first episode of Car Chat with Bob Tyler Toyota in Pensacola, we talked about getting your vehicle ready for summer.

In case you haven’t noticed, the temps have been dropping a bit and that means winter is on its way. Living in the South means, mild winters (no snow), but don’t make the mistake of thinking your vehicle is ready to face the cold.

Clean Vehicle Inside And Out
Just like getting your vehicle prepared for the summer months, the first thing you want to do is wash your vehicle inside and out. Be sure to include a good car wax that will protect the body panels.

On the inside, thoroughly vacuum the seats and floor. After vacuuming, pay some additional attention to your upholstery with an upholstery cleaner. To rid your car of that stale, climate-controlled smell that the colder weather brings, try an air-freshener -- even a man's car shouldn't smell like a gym locker.

Test The Battery And Electrical Systems
Cold weather can be an electrical system’s nightmare -- especially the car's battery. Combine this with the increased power demands of defrosters, windshield wipers and heating systems, and a car battery really has to be ready to meet the brutal winter challenge. A simple battery test means running your vehicle's headlights before starting the engine. If you notice that the headlights get brighter once you start the engine, more elaborate battery tests might be needed.

A well-insulated cabin offers much needed shelter from frigid winter winds, so ensuring your heating system is functioning properly should be a top priority. Run your heating system to ensure its operation before the actual time of need -- trust us, you do not want to be trapped in a cold car in the months to come. Also, check the window defroster system by testing the defroster strips in the windshield and rear windshield using a voltmeter.

Another major electricity consumer are the vehicle's lights. Now, that daylight savings time is here, you will probably be running your lights longer due to the shorter days. Make sure your headlights, taillights, backup lights, and signal lights (including your hazards) get a visual check during a dark day or at night.

Check and change fluids
This was one of the main points we spoke about during the summer and that is checking the coolant system.
To determine whether or not your vehicle is operating with a proper coolant level, it sometimes only requires a small visual check at a marked level indicator on a semitransparent container.

A 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze coolant is typically recommended for year-round driving (check your car's owners manual for specifics or go by the indications on the antifreeze).

After checking the coolant, examine your hoses for leaks or wear -- visually inspect all of the connections and use clean rags or paper towels to ensure there are no leaks. Make sure you also search for leaks around other reservoirs in the engine compartment, such as your brakes and oil.

Maximize winter vision
Darkness and blizzard-like snowfalls, coupled with shorter periods of sunlight, dramatically reduce a motorist's vision during the winter.

A working set of windshield wipers and an ample supply of winter washer fluid are the best ways to optimize limited visibility. Ensure that your wipers have a clean wipe across the windshield -- if you replace your wiper arms, also make sure that they don't lift from your windscreen at higher speeds (some larger, Teflon wipers tend to lift with higher winds).

Similar to the theme of tires, windshield wiper varieties are predominately featured for all-season use. While a high-quality windshield wiper is the way to go, wiper performance can be affected by snow and ice buildup along the wiper springs. For optimal winter visibility, investing in special winter wipers equipped with protective shields that protect the wipers' mechanism is an excellent idea.

Summer washer fluid must be replaced heading into the colder months since it is not made for the colder temperatures and may become frozen and useless. When buying winter washer fluid, look for a brand with a deicer agent.

Be equipped for the road
Being we don’t live up north where snowfall and ice storms are a common occurrence, you may still need an ice scrapper for those extra cold mornings mixed with our Southern humidity. Another tool suited for unpredictable winter conditions is a set of jumper cables.

When taking a long trip, include items such as a blanket, a flashlight, candles and a lighter, flares, and an extra bottle of windshield washer fluid in case of unplanned circumstances or roadside stops.

Understandably, this extra gear might represent a burden for trunk space, but your preparation may be a relief for you later on.

Don't let winter leave you cold
Winterizing your car is essential to surviving the more frigid months. Make sure it's a haven from the cold and a vehicle you can rely on to transport you and your family safely in any weather conditions.

Bob Tyler