Winterizing Your Car for Snow Driving
by: TahoeKidsGuide.com
As Lake Tahoe gets more and more fresh powder, you and your family might be thinking of a trip to Lake Tahoe. Here are some suggestions for winterizing your car:
- Perform routine servicing on your car before your trip.
Flush the cooling system and replace the coolant.
- Replace the windshield wiper blades (wipers that work well are more important, in the snow, than some realize.)
- Put windshield washer fluid, not water, in the windshield washer reservoir (plain water will freeze, so don't use that).
- Have the battery serviced (clean the battery terminal ends and add water) and load-tested to check its ability to hold a charge. If the battery is old, replace it.
- Use a tire gauge to check the tire pressure. Air contracts in cold weather; your tires will loose pressure in freezing temperatures.
Make sure there is air in the spare tire and that all the proper tire-changing equipment is in the trunk.
- Make sure the tires are in good condition.
- You are likely to need snow tires and all wheel drive or snow chains. If you'll be using chains, it's a good idea to buy them before you leave home. They're likely to cost less than what you would buy on the road, and you'll have a chance to familiarize yourself with how to put them on.
- Check the lights, heater and defroster. Each are vital to safe driving in the snow.
- Keep the gas tank as full as possible to prevent moisture from freezing in the gas lines. In addition, there's really nothing more frustrating than looking for a gas station in a snow storm, with a low tank of gas.
- Get your brakes checked.
- Put together an emergency winter kit for the trunk of your car: flares, blanket, extra boots, energy bars, waterproof gloves, water-proof pants, ice scraper, small snow shovel, flashlight and kitty litter (for traction when stuck in the snow).
- Keep your cell phone charged.
- Make sure your AAA card is in your wallet. (My dad would be disappointed if I hadn't included this one! Thanks Dad.)
That reminds me...here are a few more helpful hints:
As Lake Tahoe gets more and more fresh powder, you and your family might be thinking of a trip to Lake Tahoe. Here are some suggestions for winterizing your car:
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