I grew up in California. With historically mild winters, some Californians (or their mechanics) use water in the radiator or window wiper fluid tanks. This might be fine if you plan on staying in warm weather areas all winter, but can cause problems if you travel north to take advantage of snow activities: skiing, sledding, snow boarding, snowmobiling, etc. Water freezes when the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit; and when it freezes, it expands. This not only renders your fluids useless, it can also crack the tanks they are stored in. In any case, you need to check to make sure you have the right fluids in your car before the onset of winter - especially when traveling to colder climates.
Your car's fluids aren't the only things you need to check. Cold weather also affects your car's battery, so make sure to do a thorough check of your battery cables, terminals, and fluid.
If you are going to be driving up in the mountains or on lots of snow, you might want to look into snow tires or chains. When driving in snowy or icy conditions, you should cut your speed in half, or more. Your brakes won't lock properly, causing you to skid and slide. This means that you need to give yourself a lot more time to brake, and may need to release the brake and pump again to get better traction. You also need to be alert for other drivers who may not be taking the proper safety precautions.
Even the best defensive driver may run into troubles when road conditions are bad. Therefore, you should carry an emergency kit with several important items - particularly if driving for a long distance or through rural areas. Some items to include are: an ice scraper (for the windshield), jumper cables, powerful flashlight, extra batteries, flares, small shovel, blankets, boots, gloves, heavy jacket, radio, power snack, and extra fluids. For additional information on winterizing your car, click here.
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