Do you prep your car for winter driving?

Contributor: Rossie Rossie
What steps do you take to prepare your car for winter driving?
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
Make sure the battery is fully charged. Check the condition and connections of the battery cables and terminals.
dv8 , ToyTimeTim , Penguin , Love Perpetua , Diabolical Kitty , GenderSexplorations
6
Check tire type and tread. If any tire has less than 3/32-inches of tread, it should be replaced.
dv8 , ToyTimeTim , Penguin , StephieBoo02 , darthkitt3n , js250 , Diabolical Kitty , karay123 , slynch , GenderSexplorations
10
Check the engine's air filter.
ToyTimeTim , StephieBoo02 , El-Jaro , Diabolical Kitty
4
Check the coolant level.
ToyTimeTim , StephieBoo02 , js250 , El-Jaro , Diabolical Kitty , karay123 , slynch
7
Check the operation of all headlights, taillights, emergency flashers, turn signals, brake lights and back-up lights.
dv8 , Lummox , ToyTimeTim , Penguin , Love Perpetua , El-Jaro , Diabolical Kitty , slynch , GenderSexplorations
9
Replace wiper blades that leave streaks or miss spots.
Ghost , Lummox , ToyTimeTim , RonLee , Bigkc , Love Perpetua , darthkitt3n , js250 , El-Jaro , Diabolical Kitty , karay123 , slynch , Moein , GenderSexplorations
14
Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a cleaning solution that has antifreeze components.
Lummox , ToyTimeTim , Ash1141 , Penguin , RonLee , Bigkc , Love Perpetua , StephieBoo02 , js250 , El-Jaro , Diabolical Kitty , karay123 , slynch , Moein , GenderSexplorations
15
Check transmission, brake and power steering fluids.
dv8 , ToyTimeTim , Love Perpetua , StephieBoo02 , Diabolical Kitty
5
Update the car's emergency kit for winter weather.
Lummox , ToyTimeTim , RonLee , Bigkc , Love Perpetua , StephieBoo02 , darthkitt3n , Diabolical Kitty , GenderSexplorations
9
Check the brakes.
ToyTimeTim , StephieBoo02 , Diabolical Kitty , GenderSexplorations
4
Switch from regular tires to snow tires.
Lummox , ToyTimeTim , RonLee , Love Perpetua , js250 , Diabolical Kitty
6
Have a set of tire chains ready in the trunk.
dv8 , Bigkc , js250 , Diabolical Kitty
4
Total votes: 93 (18 voters)
Poll is closed
11/12/2011
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Contributor: Ghost Ghost
I live in southern California, so the only think I do it replace the windshield wipers.
11/13/2011
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
I live in New Mexico, which is a mile high desert! We're all really wimpy about cold here, but our cars aren't! ("Oh no, the high's 20! We've gotta cancel school and get out the down coats!" or "Oh no! It's snowing! Quick, everyone pull off of the freeway!")
11/13/2011
Contributor: aliceinthehole aliceinthehole
Quote:
Originally posted by Rossie
What steps do you take to prepare your car for winter driving?
there was no option for 'nothing, i'm a girl who knows nothing about cars, just has one.'

or 'i let my boyfriend do it for me when he has time and gets worried enough about me. because he always fixes my truck.'
11/13/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
I do all of that except the chains part, never in all my years of driving (25 Years) in Colorado and now Michigan have I had the need for chains. I have always had a 4X4 or good snow car (VW bug is by far the best car I have had when it comes to snow!) and was taught how to drive in the snow when first learning.

It should be said, that all of those things should be done on a regular basis, not just for winter, every month. You owe it to yourself and others to check those things often. I would go so far as to say it is mandatory if you drive a vehicle.
11/13/2011
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
Quote:
Originally posted by aliceinthehole
there was no option for 'nothing, i'm a girl who knows nothing about cars, just has one.'

or 'i let my boyfriend do it for me when he has time and gets worried enough about me. because he always fixes my truck.'
Sorry I didn't have a "nothing" option, because just like Tim said, most of the choices I've listed should be done on a regular basis, for safety of the car occupants and others sake.

I don't know how to fix a car neither, but I pay attention to how my Expedition is functioning, and have my husband or a mechanic tend to it when I think something's not right.
11/13/2011
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
I do all of that except the chains part, never in all my years of driving (25 Years) in Colorado and now Michigan have I had the need for chains. I have always had a 4X4 or good snow car (VW bug is by far the best car I have had when it comes to ... more
Interesting to know that the VW Bug's a good drive in snow.
11/13/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by Rossie
Interesting to know that the VW Bug's a good drive in snow.
Well, all the weight is on the drive tires. I even had to put sand bags in the front so I could steer. lol You also have to look at where it was made, Germany has some nasty weather especially back then.
11/13/2011
Contributor: RonLee RonLee
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
I do all of that except the chains part, never in all my years of driving (25 Years) in Colorado and now Michigan have I had the need for chains. I have always had a 4X4 or good snow car (VW bug is by far the best car I have had when it comes to ... more
ToyTimeTim, you were talking about the old rear wheel drive air cooled VW bug rather than the new front engine front wheel drive bug, right?
11/13/2011
Contributor: RonLee RonLee
Yesterday I switched my winter tires in place of summer tires on my little mazda miata.
11/13/2011
Contributor: Love Perpetua Love Perpetua
I do a lot of that, but I actually don't know how to check the car's air filter.
11/14/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
My husband does most of these for both of the cars we have that see winter. In previous years, I would have him or another mechanic look things over quickly in the fall. The wipers are the one thing that I know I did every year.
11/14/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by RonLee
ToyTimeTim, you were talking about the old rear wheel drive air cooled VW bug rather than the new front engine front wheel drive bug, right?
For a true enthusiast, the new Bettle is not a bug, its just a Golf with a different body. So yes, air cooled all the way.
11/14/2011
Contributor: Carlsdaman Carlsdaman
Quote:
Originally posted by Rossie
What steps do you take to prepare your car for winter driving?
Yes I always heat it lol
11/14/2011
Contributor: darthkitt3n darthkitt3n
I only ever really check the tires, change the wiper blades, and make sure I have a flashlight and stuff in the trunk. When my oil is changed, the shop checks and fills all my fluids and also checks my filters. I don't check any of those things myself, since I get my oil changed every 2-3 months.
11/14/2011
Contributor: married with children married with children
I drive hondas, so no winter prep is needed. I also do not have chains. I can get around without them, but if its really bad we just stay home.
11/15/2011
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
Quote:
Originally posted by married with children
I drive hondas, so no winter prep is needed. I also do not have chains. I can get around without them, but if its really bad we just stay home.
Quite a few residents in this side of town like switching to studded tires, even though our hills are no where as steep as the West Hills. I'm not a fan of studded tires nor chains, their grinding noise makes me cringe, especially when most of our streets have just been repaved a few months ago.
11/15/2011
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
I always change out the air in my tires. You're going to want to get "winter air" for your tires.

(Yeah, totally messing with you)
11/15/2011
Contributor: Crystal1 Crystal1
One word: Florida.
11/15/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
I always change out the air in my tires. You're going to want to get "winter air" for your tires.

(Yeah, totally messing with you)
Well, it is better to get them nitrogen filled. The cold can cause the air pressure to drop but not with nitrogen. So really, that is not to far from truth.
11/15/2011
Contributor: Diabolical Kitty Diabolical Kitty
Living in Michigan, I do all this plus more. I make sure I have spare non-perishable food, water and blankets in my trunk. Just in case I get stranded somewhere in the middle of the cold.
11/15/2011
Contributor: karay123 karay123
Subaru. Awesome.
11/15/2011
Contributor: Moein Moein
Rainy season here is not some thing to be scare of.
11/15/2011