If you have never lived in a cold climate, you probably haven't had to deal with driving and handling a car in snowy and sleet or icy conditions. There is a lot of preparation that needs to be done before you can drive safely through the winter. Just as you change your wardrobe for winter, your car needs a winter wardrobe. Use the following steps to help ensure your car operates safely and reliably through the winter.

Preparing your car for winter consists of mainly two categories: regular car maintenance and specialty items to deal with inclement and nasty weather. Regular car maintenance includes things that you do to your car year round. You need to make sure that these maintenance tasks get done before the weather starts to change so you can make sure that your car is running at its optimum level.

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Before the winter starts, you should get your car's routine maintenance up to date. Getting your oil changed and your brakes fixed are essential in preparing your car for winter. Get your radiator and cooling system flushed and checked.  Just like you don't want your car to overheat during the summer, you also don't want your car to freeze during the winter. 

Roads can be dangerous after the first snowfall. If you opt to go for snow tires, you should get them installed several weeks before winter hits. Snow tires aren't always necessary but they are a good idea if you are going to be driving in a place that experiences a lot of snowfall or ice. Even if you don't need snow tires, check to make sure that your tires are in good enough shape to handle the wintry conditions.  Bald tires are extremely unsafe in any condition, but especially during the winter time.

Test out your windshield wipers before the first rain or snowfall. Be sure the wipers don't just smear water across your windshield. Windshield wipers that work improperly can severely reduce your visibility and put you at risk for getting into an accident. Replace your windshield wipers and take a look at the special winter windshield wipers that are available on the market today. If you live in an area where you frequently experience snowfall, this may be a good option. As a general rule in areas of snowfall replace your windshield wipers once every year - snow and freezing conditions can take quite a toll on windshield wipers. 

While you're at it, make sure that your windshield wiper fluid container is filled, and put an extra gallon on fluid in your trunk - you will probably use this to melt snow and ice on your windshield.  for extra effect you can put some salt or urea solutions in it, but make sure they are specifically made for automotive use and that they won't harm your car.  Some of these solutions will corrode the tubes and sprayers along with even etching and wearing your paint. 

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The next part of car preparation is gathering together the supplies that you'll need to get your car running when the weather is bad. These supplies should be kept in two spaces: your garage and in your car. For your garage, you'll need a shovel, a small broom and some de-icing spray. These are necessary in order to free your car from any heavy snowfall that occurred the night before. You may also find an ice scraper handy.  A bag of kitty litter also works great for getting out of slippery situations.  Just sprinkle all around the slipping tire or tires.

For your car, you should carry an additional ice scraper and some de-icing spray to use if you have to park outside during work hours. These items should be kept with a winter emergency kit that is stored in the trunk of your car. In addition to the scraper and spray, you should store a blanket, some dry snacks, first-aid supplies and bottled water. If you're ever stuck in a snowstorm, these items will help you survive - you never know when aq winter storm could get really bad and all of a sudden you are stuck.  This happens to people every year and some don't survive it because they weren't prepared.

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While driving during the wintertime certainly isn't something that you should worry about, you should take the steps necessary to prepare your car for the coming months. Get your car tuned up and stocked with emergency supplies and you'll be better prepared to take on what ever the winter weather throws your way.  But, be safe - don't go out in a bad snow storm.  If you know winter conditions are going to be really bad don't go out unless you absolutely have to.

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