Edmunds.com Provides Tips for Winterizing Your Car and Prepping it for Storage
Edmunds.com Provides Tips for Winterizing Your Car and Prepping it for Storage
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — October 19, 2011 — As the temperatures drop and the leaves pile up on the ground, it's not too early to prepare your car for the winter months, advises Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information. In fact, Edmunds says that there are ten simple steps that all drivers can take to safeguard their cars against the hazards that come along with winter conditions.
"No one wants to work on a car in cold, sloppy conditions, so now is a great time to start winterizing your car," said Phil Reed, senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com. "Taking on these preventative measures will significantly reduce your chances of experiencing the nightmare scenario of having to wait for a tow truck in a heavy snowstorm."
Here are some ways to help keep your car — and your family — safe on the winter roads:
- Check your tire pressure. As the temperature falls, so does the pressure in your tires. Underinflated tires compromise traction (and fuel economy).
- Consider changing your oil. Some engines — particularly older ones — require lower-viscosity oil in the winter to avoid excessive thickening that naturally happens in cold temperatures. Your owner's manual includes the automaker's oil recommendations for different conditions.
- Carry an emergency kit in your car. A flashlight, flares, a first-aid kit and a blanket are among the items you'll be glad you packed should you ever need them.
More winterizing tips can be found at http://www.edmunds.com/how-to/winterize-your-vehicle.html.
Some cars are best left in the garage all winter long. Edmunds.com offers recommendations for long-term storage at http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/how-to-prep-your-car-for-long-term-storage.html
Among the tips: fill your tank with gas — together with a fuel stabilizer additive — before storing the car to keep its seals from drying out.
About Edmunds (http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/index.html)
Edmunds publishes Web sites that empower, engage and educate automotive consumers, enthusiasts and insiders. Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, launched in 1995 as the first automotive information Web site and hosts the most established automotive community online. Its mobile site, accessible from any smartphone at www.edmunds.com, makes car pricing and other research tools available for car shoppers at dealerships and otherwise on the go. InsideLine.com is the most-read automotive enthusiast Web site. Its mobile site, accessible from any smartphone at www.insideline.com, features the wireless Web's highest quality car photos and videos. AutoObserver.com provides insightful automotive industry commentary and analysis. Edmunds is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and maintains a satellite office in suburban Detroit. Follow Edmunds.com on Twitter@edmunds and fan Edmunds.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/edmunds.
