This post is made possible by The International Carwash Association.[*]
Baby, it’s {getting} cold outside! You may have prepared your wardrobe, your pantry, and your home for winter’s arrival, but have you considered your car? With so many of us on the road this time of year; whether it is shopping or visiting family, it is important to make sure your car is ready for whatever this season has in store for us.
The International Car Wash Association has five helpful tips for preparing your vehicle for the colder months:
Wash your car!
I admit the idea of washing our suburban this time of year makes me shiver. But according to the ICA, “a thorough wash can remove harmful compounds that may cause damage when mixed with sand and road salt.” That is why they also recommend a coat of wax for added protection from the elements. WaterSavers professional car washes save up to 20% of the amount of water than if you were to wash your car at home. This is thanks to their ability to reuse and/or treat the water before releasing it back into the water system. You can look for a WaterSavers certified professional car wash near you on their website and learn more about the environmental benefits involved in a WaterSavers.
Check your tires!
Before the roads get slick, ensure your tires are not worn and they have the proper pressure. “Cold air will cause the air in your tires to compress”, which means your tires may lose pressure. So it is important to check your tires often during the colder season.
Stop! And check your brakes!
With icy conditions that winter often brings, your car’s brakes are working extra hard. Arrange for your local mechanic to inspect your vehicles’ brakes. Thankfully, my brother-in-law is a mechanic and he gives our suburban a good look.
Check the fluids.
This time of year, chances are the heater is cranked. So it is important you check your car’s fluids – coolant levels especially. Refer to your vehicle’s manual for how much you’ll need and exactly what blend. You may also have an extra bottle stashed in your trunk, just in case!
Be prepared with a winter emergency kit.
Because you never know. What if. The idea of driving over the river and getting stuck in the woods while on your way to grandmother’s house is not a settling one. So it is smart to have a little winter emergency kit stashed in your car. Think warm; extra clothes, blankets, hats and gloves. Think survival; food and water. Think safety; first aid kit. Think helpful; ice scraper/brush. Even a small shovel and a small bag of cat litter {to provide your tires with traction}.
Making sure your vehicle is ready for winter takes a good mix of preventative maintenance and emergency preparedness. Most likely {and I hope} you won’t need it on your journey this winter. But as they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Connect:
Feel free to connect with WaterSavers on Facebook and Twitter!
Win:
One lucky Eighty MPH Mom reader will win a $20 VISA GC and WaterSavers Cold Weather Survival Kit!
Includes: · $20 VISA Gift Card · WaterSavers Tote bag · 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
Open to residents of the US – Open until December 18 @ 9pm PST
No purchase necessary. Open to residents of the US and Canada Giveaway ends December 18 at 9pm (PST). ONE ENTRANT PER HOUSEHOLD/IP Address! We check all entries – cheating will not be tolerated.
Winner{s} will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, and winner’s name will be displayed on the Rafflecopter widget within 3 days of end date. Winner will be notified via email and must reply within 48 hours. If no reply has been received within that timeframe, a new winner will be chosen. Please make sure you check your spam folder, as we are not responsible for lost winning email notifications. Winners name(s) will also be posted on the Eighty MPH Mom Winners List within 2 weeks of drawing.
**By entering this giveaway, you confirm that you have read and agree to the Eighty MPH Mom giveaway rules. Prize will be shipped directly from sponsor or their PR Agency unless otherwise noted. Sponsor reserves the right to limit one prize per person/household {of this item/prize pack}. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of prize {although it is usually much sooner}.
* [Erin received the mentioned product{s}, free of charge, to facilitate her review. All opinions are those of the reviewer only. Review product & giveaway prize provided by The International Carwash Association.↩
117 Responses
Always travel with warm socks and boots in the car, even if you’re just going for a short trip.
Don’t forget the ice scraper!
I always warm up my car for 10 minutes
for quick defrost, heat up some water and pour it on your windshield
Stay warm!!!
Bundle up!
Layers!
To be prepared by keeping your oil changes up to date, a full tank of gas and an emergency kit if necessary!
I suggest staying out of it and have the in-laws come visit you instead!
Keep warm blankets in the car for emergencies.
Always keep a blanket in the trunk. Always have a phone charger in the car.
Warm blankets, water and food should be kept in the trunk!
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
Keep the gas tank full in case you get stranded.
always keep kitty littler in your trunk for traction if needed
Dress in layers so you can remove them if needed but still be warm
Always have a blanket or two in the car (and water/phonecharger/snacks) just in case you get stuck or lost and need to stay warm.
Keep blankets, a couple of the hand warmers, first aid kit and some water in the trunk of your car. I also have a solar phone charger.
Keep a blanket or jacket in the car and never let your gas tank get empty
Stay warm and better yet, visit Hawaii!
Make sure you have antifreeze!
Keep necessary emergency supplies in the car.
keep spare oil, cables, water blanket in car. Make sure your phone is always charged. Put a remote starter in your car!
blanket, de-icer, snow scraper, small shovel, flashlight should be kept in trunk. A cell phone charger is also a must.
keep your lips moisturized to avoid chapped lips (which i am prone to)
Add food, blankets and sweaters into the existed emergency kit.
I always keep a bottle water and a pack of crackers or candy bar just in case I get stuck
Always bring blankets and extra sweater or jacket in the car
My best Winter tip is to make sure your car battery is strong for the cold winter months and have it tested to make sure it is strong enough for the cold winter months!
make sure your car is tuned up/checked out before winter hits!!!
Keep a tire pressure gauge in the car at all times since it can fluctuate so wildly with the changing temperatures!
warm up the car in time before you leave. always have blankets and gloves in the trunk
keep chains n the car.
I like to warm up the car before driving it.
keep a survival pack in the car with warm socks, blanket, flashlight, granola type bars, water filtering bottle, a book or some magazines, some of those disposable hand and foot heaters, a small shovel, some kitty litter.
let your car warm up before you drive
I keep my boots by the heat so that when I get ready to go out. I will definitely have warm feet.
Seriously, don’t travel when they advise you to NOT do so!! DO keep blankets and snowmobile suit and the recommend can and candles and food in your car if you live in the north.. it’s NO joke if you do get stranded up here!!! OH they also recommend a long pole with the orange flag on top to signal where you are!
Have sand and a shovel in the car.
try and keep your skin moisturized with lotion
Drive carefully – the other drivers are usually more dangerous than the road conditions
Make sure you have not only warm blankets, but a first-aid kit, as well.
Cuddl Dudds for day, heated mattress pad for night!
Best tip is to buy snow tires! I live in MN!
Always wear warm clothes
Always have a hat and gloves in your car
check all fluids and tire pressures
Tell us in a comment: What is your best cold weather tip?
a heater/fire place and a good book….best tip is guard against flu/cold..wash your hads 20 times a day
A space heater is always nice
Keep the winter supplies handy in the car for emergencies.
Check tires.
Don’t let the gas get too low (car) and always wear a coat, hat and gloves. You never know!
Always dress warm, warm the car up & be prepared for anything.
aemgeg4 (@) yahoo (dot) com
My tip is to make sure you have plenty of wiper fluid in the car.
my best cold weather tip is BE SURE YOUR CAR IS COLD WEATHER READY by checking tires, fluids, etc:)
jmatek AT wi DOT rr DOT com
Store in the car snacks/ blankets/ and warm clothes.
when it is bad weather outside, you cannot be in a rush. too many people whine and complain that people cant “drive in the snow” when really they are the cautious ones trying to save themselves and others from getting hurt or even killed. leave a little bit early that way you are not rushing or upset with other drivers.
Wear a warm coat with gloves in pockets – helps to clean up the car!
Always keep a blanket or jacket in the car.
Keep a shovel, rock salt and newspapers in the car, so if you get stuck you can try to use these to get out of the snow.
Make sure your phone is fully charged when leaving the house. Keep a blanket, jacket, first aid kit, water, and snacks in the car.
We keep the tank filled and a cold-weather kit in the trunk, including a collapsible shovel, a blanket, and a flashlight.
wash hands frquently to help stop the spread of germs
Always stay with your car if you get in trouble in a desolate area. You are much easier to find that way.
Charged cell phone and warm gear in the car.
bundle up
Always have an ice scraper available. Thank you for the nice giveaway!
I live in Ohio; I have a LOT of cold weather tips! 1. Always have extra blankets on hand in the trunk of the car 2. Keep a BIG bag of clay cat litter in the trunk (it helps give weight to the car, but, most importantly, if you’re stuck on ice, you can sprinkle some in front of and behind the tires and get yourself out). 3. Check the tread on your tires; replace any with worn treads
Clean ALL the snow off of your car before driving because it is extremely dangerous to the cars behind you.
Try to purchase a car with butt warmers
Remember to warm up your car in the morning
I always keep blankets and extra water in the trunk for the humans. I also keep the same in the trunk for the pets.
Keep warm blankets and water in the car. Have your car winterized before the winter starts
Keep a solar blanket in your car.
always keep a blanket in the car in case you break down
kport207 at gmail dot com
Best cold weather tip is just making sure that you give your car ample enough time to warm up in the cold.
Think booze will keep you warm? Bad idea. Hot cocoa or hot tea are better options, if you MUST have coffee, choose decaf, caffeine dehydrates the body & spikes insulin levels.
Always dress or bring clothes with you as if you were going to be outside, even if you only plan on being in the car.
Mine is to stay indoors!!!
Check tire pressure often
Be prepared for the worst. Have an emergency kit.
Go to where the warm weather is :p
Warm up the car before you drive and be sure you have an emergency kit in case of breakdowns
When I am outside on a crisp, sunny, cold winter day, I am sure to apply a generous amount o moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher. The cold weather and the wind tends to dry out my skin. Also, the glare from the sun bouncing off of the snow can cause your skin to dry out or even burn. Thank you for the super giveaway opportunity. Keep up the terrific blogging.
Warm blankets, gloves, and water!
Keep the tires full of air, and check the liquids often.
Check your antifreeze levels!
Always dress warm even if it doesn’t seem all that cold outside (I got frostbite once I learned the hard way)
My father always taught me to never let gas tank get below 1/2 tank, especially in the winter. He said it was better for the vehicle. I also make sure I always have extra gloves and hats in the car for anyone who forgets.
Always be prepared for the worst.
I always keep blankets in my vehicles
Best cold weather tip is to always check fluid levels
Make sure your pipes are well insulated.
Gosh – I live in Southern Florida. My cold weather tip is MOVE HERE! 🙂
Always have plenty of wiper fluid in the car.
My best tip would be to check your tires!
We live in Northern California so it usually doesn’t get really cold, but we got into the low 20’s on the coast here about a week ago and we all freaked out! We even got snow right on the coast. It made me think about always having a bag in the car of a few snacks, a blanket and a few other things that we may need if we ever got stuck anywhere on the side of the road. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Always dress in layers
give yourself extra time to get places
keep an emergency kit in the trunk
Be prepared. Keep a winter survival kit in your car along with food and water
I put a sleeping bag over my front window at night.
Keep a shovel, rock salt and blankets in your car.
My best tip is to brake gently when driving on icy streets to avoid skidding and to ease off the brake if your wheels start to lock up.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
keep a first aid kit in the car
Keep lots of blankets in your car, and make sure you have the things you need to get any ice/snow off of your windows
Keep a blanket and water in the car
Wear layers. Keep gloves and a blanket in the car!
Dress warmly in layers to trap heat. Hat, gloves, scarf & warm boots.
Thanks for the contest.
i keep a wool blanket in the trunk in case we are stranded in the cold weather. i also have water and some food there too.
Keep a blanket and water in the car in case you get stranded
Right before it snows, flip your windshield wipers up so they won’t get frozen to the windshield when nasty weather rolls in.
drink something warm to warm up when you come in
if the weather is bad, make sure you have a full tank of gas
Keep your feet and head warm!
Thanks for the giveaway…have tire chains ready if you plan on driving in the mountains as weather conditions can change rapidly i.e. ice, snow, etc.
Kitty litter will get you unstuck!
make sure you start your car 15-20 minutes before you leave anywhere!
My tip is dress in layers for the cold weather. If your car breaks down you do not want to be sitting in the cold wearing just a t-shirt and jacket.
longbarb11@aol.com
Keep blankets, food, and a first aid kit in the car.