Winter is here and it is time for a safety check list! I was reminded of this over the weekend, when I took our new (used) little car out in the rain for the first time. I turned on the windshield wipers and there was a horrible scraping sound. They jumped along the window but didn’t remove much water. My husband purchased new wiper blades and put them on the car for me. Phew – it feels good to know that we will be safe when out in this car.
There are plenty of other safety tips to be aware of though, and The International Car Wash Association wants to help you prepare!
1. Use a professional car wash to wash and wax your car – It might seem silly to get your car nice and shiny for what’s often the messiest season, but a thorough wash can remove harmful compounds that could 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.
Did you know? Professional car washes can also save up to 20 percent of the amount of water you would use by washing your car at home. They do this by treating & reusing their water, instead of releasing toxic chemicals and grime into the storm drains (which can often occur with pavement washing). Learn more at www.washwithwatersavers.com, where you will see how professional car washes save water and help prevent pollution.
2. Check your fluid levels – Check your coolant to make sure you have enough, as you’ll be left without heat if you don’t. Consult your owner’s manual to find the correct blend if you need to add more. It’s never a bad idea to keep extra coolant in your trunk in case of an emergency. Don’t forget about extra wiper fluid, either. It’s not expensive, so stock up!
3. Winter emergency kit – In addition to stocking your car with a scraper and brush, it’s a good idea to include a few provisions in case you get stranded in snowy and cold conditions. Pack extra blankets, hats and gloves, high-energy snacks like granola bars, drinking water and a first-aid kit. (Note: you can win this fantastic kit – enter the giveaway below!)
4. Test your battery – The next time you have the car in for an oil change, ask the mechanic to test your battery to make sure it can provide enough starting power once the temperature plummets.
5. Make sure your wipers are in good condition – When sloppy weather hits, you will want to make sure you have strong wiper blades to see through the elements. Checking your wiper blades for wear and replacing them when needed can help your vision in snow and sleet.
Through its Wash With WaterSavers consumer awareness campaign, the International Car Wash Association has made a commitment to promoting the importance of using eco-friendly car washes that use less fresh water and return clean water back into the environment. This is a great reminder, as washing cars at home waste a lot of water. Maybe a car wash gift certificate would be a good thing to put on your holiday wish list!
I received a “Justin Case” (get it?) emergency kit and it is really neat! Â It included a plastic bottle filled with all kinds of things that can be used in an emergency.
Everything tucks nicely into the mesh bag for easy access:
I will be putting this in my car, and it will be a relief to know that I will have what I need in case of emergency.
To help you get ready for the winter (and stay safe), I have an awesome giveaway for you!
THE GIVEAWAY:
One (1) winner will receive a Winter Emergency Kit prize pack, which includes the following:
· 32 oz. WaterSavers branded water bottle
· Carabiner key chain
· Medium flashlight
· 2 heavy duty AA batteries
· 19-piece first aid kit
· Survival tool
· Pocket knife
· Emergency poncho
· Emergency blanket
· 2 tea light candles
· Safety matches
· Survival instruction card
· Mesh sack
*I am working with the International Carwash Association to share these tips for getting your car ready for winter. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments – all opinions are my own. I received a Winter Emergency Kit as a thank you for posting these tips and for hosting the giveaway.
144 Responses
We wash our cars at home generally.
I usually wash it at home, but now in the winter months i will take it to the car wash to spray it off.
We usually wash at home…..but we should go and take it to the car wash in the winter.
We usually take it to the Car Wash!
my husband always washes the car at home
usually we wash our cars at home; thanks kmassman gmail
Take it to the Car Wash…Oh my back!!
We wash it at home
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
car wash
car wash
We go to a professional card wash.
car wash
Wash at home, definitely.
caRWASH
I wash it at home in the summertime.
We usually wash our car at home.
I go to the car wash.
I wash my car at home.. It’s cheaper and i do just as good of a job lol
always the car wash
It is something we do at home once a month. Inside and out
mostly at home, only when it is really dirty or the interior needs a makeover we use the car wash
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com
I always take it to the car wash. They do a better job.
We usually go to the car wash because my kids love that place!
typically wash at home
I was my car at home usually.
i usually don’t wash my car…
wash at home
We go to the Car Wash.
Car Wash
Car wash!
Usually to a car wash
I used to wash it myself, but now I take the easier way out and run it through the $5.00 car wash. It only takes a few minutes and your done.
Carwash!
car wash
FYI, the pre-loaded Twitter text in the Rafflecopter is for a smoke alarm prize.
Car Wash
I wash my car at home.
I go to the car wash
both, if I am lazy car wash, if I feel like I should be saving money, I will do it myself
We take it to a car wash…
pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thank you
NEVER wash my car at home! LOL It really just turns out better at a car wash!!
We wash our cars at home except in the winter
We wash our cars at home
My husband washes the car at home.
in the winter to the car wash and in the summer at home
usually at car washes
In the summer we do it at home, it the winter at the car wash.
In the winter, I take it to the car wash. In the warmer weather, I wash it myself.
go to car wash
Car wash!
We usually wash our car at home except in the colder weather.
We typically take it to a car wash. It’s fast, inexpensive and Eco-friendly!
I usually wash my car at a car wash.
I usually take it to a car wash.
A guy comes by my office and does it!
car wash.
I always wash my car at home!
I take it to a car wash. Gives me a chance to catch up on emails while waiting!
I do about half and half.
Thanks for the chance.
mo*******@***il.com
my car doesn’t get washed…unless it is raining
My husband washes my car at home.
Mostly at home but on occasion at the car wash.
at home except in the winter
I usually wash it at home.
I usually take it to a car wash. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
Usually at home.
usually at home
I take it to a car wash normally.
Wash and vacuum at home.
Car wash.
Usually take it to a car wash.
I wash my car with a hose and bucket
to a car wash
Most of the time I wash it at home, but every once in while we’ll go to the car wash.
car wash
In the summer I wash my car at homem but when its cold I get it over with fast at the carwash
We wash it at home.
Usually wash at home, but sometimes we take it to the car wash! Thanks for the giveaway!
I do not know the answer to this question. We usually did a car wash, but now we moved to a house with our own hose, and I think my husband wants to do it at home now.
Normally at home but on a rare occation we’ll go to a car wash.
We do about 50/50
We wash at home.
car wash
I actually get free car washes from the dealership where I bought my van. They do it for me!
We wash it at home
wash it at home
Wash it at the car wash
I wash it at a car wash. Thanks!
Our cars get washed at home 90% of the time. If the scouts have a carwash fundraiser then we’ll take them in to get washed.
jryder416 at yahoo dot com
I LIKE THE CAR WASH,
The rain washes mine.
I go to the car wash
Lately, I’ve been supporting the high school groups that have car washes on the weekends – maybe once a month.
at home like once a year.
I wash at home or those diy car washes.
car wash
When it is warm outside, I wash it at home, but during the cold winter months, I take it to a carwash.
car wash place!
I do both. If I am in a rush, I will stop by a car wash but I figure doing it at home saves money, gets you some exercise and possible saves on water (not sure about the last one).
Oh my, I guess I missed the paragraph about professional car washes saving water! Now I feel silly. I guess I was wrong. I will remember that next time I need my car washed! Thank you for setting me straight!
We wash ours at home.
Wash it at home
I mostly go to a car wash
We wash it at the car wash.
Almost always at home! 🙂
Thank you for the sweet giveaway <3
We typically go through the car wash — we like the rainbow bubbles!
We take it to the car wash and spray it down
I wash the beast at home
I take my car to a car wash, they do it better than I do
Only take it to a car wash.
take it to the Car Wash
i go to the car wash
car wash – we have very hard water and it spots a lot
We wash our cars at home.
Car wash!
We wash at home.
we wash at home
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
car wash
I usually take it to the car wash.
Thanks for the giveaway!
We don’t have a car
We wash it at home. It’s cheaper.
i go for a Car Wash generally coz at home it takes too much time 🙂
As I am disabled, I only get my car washed by machine.
I go to the drive through car wash.
Usually take it to the car wash.
I take my car to the car wash.
I usually take my car to the car wash during the colder months and wash it myself during the warmer months =]
I usually let the rain do the washing !!
I used to wash my car, but in the past year I just take it to the car wash.
We use the car wash in the cold months but always wash at home in the summer.
Summertime wash it myself, winter it goes to the car wash.
I usually go to a car wash.
Car wash
car wash!
wash at home my girls love to get wet and they do a pretty great job
I wash my car at home during the summer but when it gets cold I go to the carwash.
When the weather is warm I was the vehicles most of the time. Winter time it’s always the car wash!
Hello, how are you? I wash my cars at home.
my husband does the cars..he likes it.. hey, i wont complain! 🙂
i do not wash my car because i can not afford to
to the car wash
take it to the car wash
I take mine to the car wash
Car wash!