Many of us will be going “over the river and through the woods” as well as “dashing through the snow” to visit family and friends this holiday season. Our minds are on gift giving, shopping, good food and great times. The one thing I’m sure most people are not thinking about this time of the year is their car and car maintenance.
The winter months can be harsh on your car, especially if you live in an area bombarded with snow.
Here are some great tips on how to protect the value of your car from WaterSavers® (re-printed with permission).
A clean car is your first line of defense against winter. While the winter season typically takes a toll on your car, proper maintenance can go a long way to preserving your investment. For example, according to the International Carwash Association®, getting a new wash and a fresh coat of wax before the temperature starts to fluctuate can be your first line of defense against winter elements like ice, salt, sand and slush.
Vehicular corrosion also occurs most quickly when temperatures rise and then fall below freezing. That’s why most auto manufacturers recommend getting your car washed and waxed at a professional car wash twice a month, especially during the winter.
Using a WaterSavers® Car Wash can is a strong first step to ensuring that your car will be ready to withstand the winter elements – inside and out. It’s also a great way to protect the environment. For example, these car washes typically use only 40 gallons (151.5 liters) or less of fresh water per car wash. Learn more and find a WaterSavers wash at Washwithwatersavers.com.
Rotate your tires. Most people know they should get their oil changed every 3,000 miles, but many forget their tires need maintenance as well. Tires should be rotated before winter and then again every 6,000 miles.
Add some winter weight to your oil. Changing your oil and filter is especially important during the winter. Drivers who live in a colder climate should consider changing to heavier, winter-weight oil during the winter months.
Take care of your wiper blades. Your windshield wiper blades are your first line of defense when the snow starts to fly. Make sure your wiper blades are in good, working order and replace them if you have doubts. It’s better to make this change now instead of finding out your blades aren’t working when you really need them.
Take your car in for a tune-up. Any noises, pings or sluggish starts you currently notice will only intensify as the temperature drops. It’s best to get your vehicle in for a tune-up as soon as possible to get any issues addressed.
Give your steering some power. Check your powering steering fluid each month, and make sure the car is warmed up before you do so. If you find the level is low, look for leaks in the hoses or pump. Low power steering fluid will make your car more difficult to steer, which is something you’ll want to avoid as the roads get slick.
Protect yourself from carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide leaks are dangerous at any time, but they are especially deadly during the winter when you will be driving your vehicle with the windows closed. Have your exhaust system checked to make sure no leak exists.
Apply the brakes. Besides the seat belt, your car’s brakes are its most important safety feature. This is especially true in the winter when slippery conditions can make stopping difficult. Before the first snow fall, bring your car to an experienced mechanic to verify that your brakes are ready for the season.
Cold winter temperatures mean vehicle maintenance is even more important. By following these simple tips listed above, you’ll be able to ward off winter’s harshest advances, protect your investment and those who ride inside of it.
To learn more about protecting the value of your vehicle, visit Washwithwatersavers.com.
These are some great tips. I really need to replace my wipers. They are not that good. It’s one of the things on my “to do” list that I keep forgetting about.
Do you have any additional tips you’d like to share?
WaterSavers® would like to give a lucky winner a special prize package. The prize package includes:
- $30 Visa Gift Card
- Thermal travel mug
- Fleece travel blanket
- Hand Mitt ice scraper
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end on December 31, 2014 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen in their place.
To enter please comment on this post and tell me why you would like to win this prize OR which tip do you find most useful?
For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement or the additional entries wont’ qualify (I do check). Extra entries are optional.
Kimberly
*I will be receiving the same prize package in exchange for my participation. There was no other compensation. The opinions expressed are my own unless otherwise note.
Dawn Monroe says
I think the carbon monoxide tip to get your exhaust checked is important.
Lisa Brown says
Fav tip: Give your steering some power; i always forget to check this fluid.
Jennifer Rote says
Being in upstate NY this would be a great package to win.
Linda Kish says
For me, it to take care of your wiper blades. That’s the one thing we always forget to change yearly.
Maureen says
It does get very cold where I live and it would be great to have the items that the winner wins at the ready for when the weather is not good and you might need them.
Also I am very aware of rotating tires.
vickie couturier says
Take your car in for a tune-up. Any noises, pings or sluggish starts you currently notice will only intensify as the temperature drops. It’s best to get your vehicle in for a tune-up as soon as possible to get any issues addressed.
Read more at https://www.shescribes.com/2014/12/8-ways-protect-value-car-winter-giveaway-ends-123114.html#qpOS5uB0l5e4lcCG.99
Virginia Rowell says
I find that rotating your tires is a very good tip.
HS says
Add some winter weight to your oil is one helpful tip.
Mami2jcn says
I like the tip about taking your car in for a tune up.
Elena says
My favorite tip: Add some winter weight to your oil. Changing your oil and filter is especially important during the winter.
Karen says
I want to win that travel mug. If I have the mug maybe the travel will come. Hahaha.
Kelly D says
I found the tip helpful to Have your exhaust system checked to make sure no leak exists to protect yourself from carbon monoxide leaks.
Allicia says
I learned that I should rotate my tires every 6,000 miles. I have never had them rotated for maintenance, and I’m sure that’s why they tend to wear out fast.
nadya kotik says
I liked the tip about windshield wipers. That’s very important!
Janet W. says
A great tip you mentioned is about taking care of your wiper blades. I always forget about this and usually think about what’s under the hood. Great reminder!
Vicki Wurgler says
the tip on Add some winter weight to your oil, one I did not think of
BeckyM says
I think the best tip is to rotatoe your tires!
Em Mahr says
I love the tip about Taking care of your wiper blades; so important on those frosty, snowy days so that you can properly see out of the windshield.
patricia says
I found all of the tips useful. My husband and I are about to drive from Atlanta to Chicago, and I forwarded this article to him so he can make sure our car is ready for the trip.
Kristie says
I thought it was interesting that we should have our vehicle for exhaust system leaks.
Alona Y says
Rotating your tires is a great tip for me, that’s one of the things I tend to forget about or put on the back burner.
Holly Thomas says
Changing the wiper blades is a very good tip!
D Schmidt says
The tip I found most useful was Give your steering some power. Check your powering steering fluid each month, and make sure the car is warmed up before you do so.
Cindy says
I also need to replace my wiper blades.
Candice says
I would love to win and start taking better care of my car. I liked the tip about rotating your tires, which I definitely need to do more often.
Dawn Ganey says
I never knew about adding winter weight oil to cars didn’t know it existed.
steven weber says
make sure all your fluids are changed and at the proper levels.
ellen beck says
This I didnt know to do: Check your powering steering fluid each month, Thats my favorite tip since I thought it was once or twice a year.
Terra Heck says
My favorite tip was to protect yourself from carbon monoxide by having the exhaust system checked. I knew about CO problems in the home but didn’t know it could cause problems in a vehicle too. Thanks.
partymix25(at)Hotmail(dot)com
Robin Wilson says
I’d like to win because I can use all of this. I think it’s really important to take your car in for a tune-up, but I admit that I have forgotten this year so now’s the time.
ken ohl says
love to win this love the taking care of your wiper blades tip
Anne says
I wouldn’t have thought to have the exhaust system checked to avoid the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. That’s a great tip for those of us in cold winter climates. Thanks.
Karen Raider says
I didn’t know that getting a new wash and a fresh coat of wax before the temperature starts to fluctuate can be your first line of defense against winter elements like ice, salt, sand and slush.
Deb Jackson says
I like all the tips and share them frequently.
Brynn says
I love the tip about adding winter weight to the oil. Great idea and one I have not yet heard. Thanks!
Ellie Wright says
Protect yourself from carbon monoxide seems most important to me.
latanya says
Have your exhaust system checked to make sure no leak exists.
Jennifer Tilson says
I like the tip to have your car’s brakes checked as they are its second most important safety feature. The prize package is a nice combo of useful winter preparedness items.
Carol says
I find that rotating your tires is a very good tip.
natasha says
The rotate you tire tip is a great one
Michelle S. says
I like the tip about the wiper blades, most auto parts stores around here will even go out and change the blades out for you which is nice and it is very important to be able to see clearly out your windshield!
Susan Christy says
I’d like to win because my car is not prepared for winter.
Betsy Barnes says
I liked the tip about protecting yourself from carbon monoxide. I never thought to have my exhaust system checked to make sure no leak exists, I will now 🙂
Kim Henrichs says
I would love to win that ice scraper! Living in the North East I’m always looking for a good one. Great tips!!!
saralynns2 says
I have a habit of using my windshield wipers and windshield fluid to melt the ice off my windshield, which damages the wipers 🙁 It really stinks when they get too messed up to work properly! The scraper would be awesome to win!
Laura J says
The tip that I love is the A clean car is your first line of defense against winter! I always seem to forget when its so cold to get the car washes, but with all the sand and salt they put down on the roads to help the ice and snow…I can only imagine all that does to our cars!!!
Jessica H. says
I found the clean car tip helpful. Often you don’t think of going to the carwash in the winter, but up here with the amount of salt they use on the roads it leads to corrosion very fast Washing the salt off helps prevent that. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!
Jessica To says
I like the tip to take care of your wiper blades. I always forget about them until it’s snowing or raining and realize I need new ones.
katherine says
I’d love to win because I need the gift card!
Soha MOlina says
I like this tip: Rotate your tires.
Crystal W says
I’d never heard of winter weight oil! Will have to check it out. I’d love this prize pack to keep in hand in the car for emergencies!
Wanda Patterson says
I never thought about giving my car a wax job as part of getting ready for winter. Never to old to learn new tricks.
Tina W says
Fresh wiper blades are great in snowy/rainy weather! (and a dry pair of socks and gloves in the car!)
Angela Saver says
I think the best tip is to check your wiper blades & change them if you have any doubts as they are your first line of defense when the snow/rain starts to fall!
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
Vero M says
I would give this to my husband. He would love this!
christine j says
I would love this for my husbands car to keep him warm
Dana Rodriguez says
I like the tip “Add some winter weight to your oil.”
Cheryl Abdelnour says
I like the tip– Add some winter weight to your oil. I would like to win because everything is useful in this giveaway.
Trisha Burgess says
I would love to win to have these items in my car!
Audra O'Hara says
I’d like to win because the Visa card would be nice, but I would really like the ice scraper. I know it’s silly that I don’t own one yet. I never needed one until now that my daughter goes to school so early in the morning.
Tammie says
Taking care of your wiper blades. I don’t think to switch those out in winter – you think of them more for rain, but yeah, sleet and snow … you need them working well then too!
Laurie Nykaza says
To change the wiper blades is so important to be able to see while driving .
Nancy says
I’d like to win this so I could give the mug, blanket and ice scraper to our daughter to keep in her car.
Kristen says
I’m due for an oil change, so the $30 GC would help!
Dawn Keenan says
I’d love to win this package, as we just got a car for my teenage son, and it will be parked outside.
Kimberly Schotz says
The fact I found most useful is rotating your tires
carol w says
I would like to win to give to my son. He does not have a blanket or scraper for his car. I would also love the gift card for me!!!
shelly peterson says
My favorite is Apply the brakes tip. having good brakes is very important.
Natalie Brown says
Hi! My favorite tip is to check or change the wiper blades. I always forget about them until they’re hardly working. So not safe. Thanks!!
Cori Westphal says
I’d love this package because being prepared in the car in the winter is a MUST here in MN, where the roads can be deadly!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Cindy Merrill says
I really want this prize because we live where it’s winter almost 8 months of the year!
darby says
All of these are useful since we do a lot of road trips!
Rebecca Orr says
Getting your tires rotated is a great tip. I made the mistake of not rotating tires in the past and that was a big mistake. Winter hit and I was left with bald front tires.
Jennifer Pittman says
My favorite tip: Take your car in for a tune-up, because it can help catch problems before they get big!
Jessica Cox says
I learned about the Add some winter weight to your oil.
Wendy McBride says
A clean car is my best defense against the elements was the #1 tip for me. I generally change my wipers regularly with the help of Walmart~………did you know that Walmart automotive will put the new ones on for you if you buy them there? I love that, because I don’t like to change them myself.