Winter Car Safety Checklist
The winter season is a critical time to ensure your car is operating properly and you are prepared for emergencies. Complete the checklist below before the first cold weather arrives.
Pack an emergency kit for your trunk. Include blankets, old winter coats, cat litter, water, food, shovel, flares, and anything else you think you may need should you become stranded.
Check your antifreeze. For best results in most climates, use a mixture of 50/50 water and antifreeze.
Check your tires. The tread on your tires should be at least 2/32'' in depth. Cold weather can cause loss of tire pressure, so check it regularly.
Get a brake inspection. The brake disc should be shiny and fairly uniform. Any rough spots or major grooves mean that they disk should be replaced. Less than 1/8" pad remaining on the pad means that the pad should be replaced as well.
Replace your wipers. There's nothing worse than being in a slushy storm and having inadequate wipers. At best it can be annoying, and at worst it can be downright dangerous.
Fill your washer fluid - and carry extra. Gas stations tend to run out during storm season, so keep more in your trunk.
(excerpt from Mortage Matters of Credit Union Mortgage Services Vol. 7 No. 10)