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I am working with the International Carwash Association to share these tips. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.
The International Car Wash Association (ICA) through its Wash With Watersavers consumer awareness campaign, is committed to promoting the importance of using eco-friendly carwashes that use less water and return clean water back into the environment.
Winter is a time to get together with family and enjoy the holidays, but getting ready for the change in seasons is no small feat. It takes time and planning to make sure your family and your home are ready to brave the elements.
But is your car as ready as you are? If you haven’t thought about preparations for your vehicle, these five simple tips will help you prepare for the colder months ahead.
· Check your tires. Before the roads get slick, check your tires to be sure they aren’t worn and that they are properly inflated. You should be able to find the proper tire pressure on the inside of your driver’s side door. Cold air will cause the air in your tires to compress and may cause your tires to lose pressure, so make a note to check again later in the winter.
· Wash and wax your car at a professional car wash. Putting your car through the car wash during the sloppiest season of the year may seem a strange idea but a thorough wash can remove harmful compounds that may cause damage when mixed with sand and road salt. Experts from the International Carwash Association also recommend a coat of wax for an extra layer of protection from the elements. Besides protecting your car, you’ll also be protecting the environment. Professional car washes can save up to 20 percent of the amount of water you’d use by washing your car at home. They do this by treating and reusing their water, rather than releasing toxic chemicals and grime into the storm drains, which can often occur when you wash your car yourself. You can learn more about the environmental benefits of a professional car wash at washwithwatersavers.com.
· Check your brakes. Your brakes will work harder once the icy conditions of winter set in. Make sure they are up to the task by bringing your vehicle in to your mechanic for a thorough brake inspection.
· Check fluids. In the winter, no fluid is more important than your coolant because, if you’re out of coolant, 
you’re out of heat. Your owner’s manual will tell you how much coolant you need as well and provide the correct blend. It’s also never a bad idea to keep an additional bottle of coolant in your car for emergencies.
· Winter emergency kit. If you find yourself stranded by the side of the road, a winter survival kit can be very helpful. Include an ice scraper/brush, extra blankets or clothes – including hats and gloves – snacks and bottled water and a first aid kit. A small shovel can come in handy if you get stuck and a bag of cat litter can be used to provide needed traction for your tires.
Getting your vehicle ready for winter while temperatures are still mild is a proactive approach to preventive maintenance that helps ensure safety, reliability, and fewer unexpected repairs when severe winter weather strikes. By planning ahead you can ensure that your family and your car will be in for a smooth ride all winter long.
Giveaway Prize Pack:
WaterSavers has created a special cold weather survival kit to help you feel prepared for winter. One of my readers will receive:
· WaterSavers Cold Weather Survival Kit that includes:
* First aid kit, flashlight/signal torch, 2 AA batteries, 2 emergency candles, box of safety matches, 2 hand warmers, emergency water bag (1 gallon capacity), survival compass, emergency blanket and cotton gloves. All items are packaged in heavy-duty, water and puncture resistant carry case made of 600D polyester · WaterSavers Tote bag · $20 VISA Gift Card
Tammy Litke is a Dallas blogger, blogging since 2008. She loves to watch movies, play video games, spend time in the kitchen, and travel. Between recipes and reviews you’ll find many helpful and some just plain funny posts on her blog. Welcome, pull up a chair and stay for a while!
I have an emergency bag with a BIG shovel. My tires are all good and the fluids are filled. the car is not all clean and shiny though. I live on a dirt road and things are never clean here.
I just always make sure that I have enough gas and I also check the engine and the oil. I also carry with me ice melt and shovels.
No, since we live in a very mild climate.
We get our car winterized
I don't do anything special for car maintenance in the winter time.
I don't do anything special in the winter time!
i dont even havea license, my partner is in charge of all things car!
I usually just get my tires rotated and all my levels checked.
My husband makes sure my oil is changed and checks everything else.
I always check my anti-freeze to make sure it is where it should be. Thank you.
We keep all the fluids full, and try to keep the gas tank full, and plug it up at night to keep the fluids from freezing!!
We don't do much of anything in the winter for our cars..except having an ice scraper in the glove box. It just doesn't get that cold in Atlanta:)
plenty of windshield washer fluid to keep windows clean from slush and salt
HUbby checks the fluids, adds antifreeze and make sure we have new wiper blades
Not really here in Hawaii!
Our climate doesn't really require anything special be done!
I always keep the tank full and make sure the tire pressure is good
We definitely need to take care of all of this stuff – it's already started snowing here, and the de-icing chemicals from the roads really mess up our car.
I did just get my windshield wipers changed.
Just check the antifreeze
I just have regular maintenance done!
other then warming up my car before taking off in the morning i dont.
We do routine maintenance checks all year long
Hubby changes oil at 3, 000 miles and keeps the window washer fluid filled and he warms the car up when we go off my car runs like a charm
Yes, we go to Texas. 🙂
Our weather typically is mild year-round so no extraordinary measures are needed!
We have the tire pressure checked and replace the windshield wipers if they are wearing out.
I like to make sure my tires are inflated.
I like to make sure my tires are inflated properly.
In the winter we always carry a snow shovel and a bag of cat litter.
We take off in the winter so don't have to do any winterizing to our vehicle.
Nothing special; just the usual maintenance!
I change the oil and check the tires before winter.
I just make sure it has gas my husband does all our car maintenance.
The only I do is make sure I have plenty of washer fluid and deicer with me.
In So Cal we really don't have to do much to our cars for the winter weather.
Tires checked & rotated, antifreeze checked, new wipers.
Thanks for the contest.
It is better to check everything especially heaters and car battery.
My Husband takes care of truck maintenance. No winter maintenance is done because we are in Southern Texas for the winter.
Our weather is usually so mild that we don't have to take any special precautions for harsh weather.
i make sure to check my tire pressure, they change in cold weather.
I have my tires checked and rotated and check my antifreeze.
Good time to check everything!
Don't do much for winter maintenance. We go South.
I don't really have to do much to my car since I live in So Cal.
I live in a mild climate, no need
I prepare for winter driving by making sure I have good wiper blades and that the windshield wiper fluid is topped off.
Not usually we live in a relatively warm area so not a lot needs to be done differently with our cars in the winter
Thankfully the weather is pretty mild in So Cal so we really don't have to do much winter prep for our cars.
I definitely keep more of an eye on tire pressure — I keep a gauge in the car and check it at least once a week.
Dont do any winter maintenance because our winter is spent in Texas.
Thankfully in So Cal we don't have to do much to our cars for winter.
my husband keeps a pretty great emergency kit in our car and gets the snow chains on
I always check the tire pressure and windshield fluids each weekend and try to keep the tank filled in the freezing cold.
I make sure that I have good snow tires.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I try to bring my car to the car wash that doesn't use harsh soaps so that my car can get the under-carriage washed from salt and road junk. Helps keep the rust down.
I do a kit in my car and get new tires.
In So Cal we really don't have to do anything special.
My husband washes the under carriage more to remove the road salt.
We never allow the tank to be low on gasoline.
Make sure the tires are properly inflated and the fluid/oil levels are checked.
We don't have to do anything special in CA.
We put extra blankets in the car.
i get new wipers
No but we really should, but it's so expensive, they always seem to find something wrong with it. lol
I put winter tires on my car.
I like to make sure my tires are inflated as we get snow and ice here.
I just definitely make sure to have a full tank of gas!! I also make sure the oil changes are kept up to date!
During winter times I always check my fluid levels on a weekly basis
DH regularly checks the engine and tires – we don't have that much cold weather here though
Not really i live in florida…
I take my car to a garage and have it checked over and the anti freeze changed if it needs it
I never let the tank go below half full for freezing issues. We also change the tires on one of the cars.
We make sure the tires have been rotated and are inflated properly and the gas and fluids are full for winter.
longbarb11@aol.com