Five MORE tips to winterize your car

Back in 2010, we put together five tips to winterize your car. That post, and our advice on how NOT to de-ice your windshield have been some of our most popular winter-themed posts. Today, we bring you some additional tips our friends at Ford shared with us.

I’m a firm believer in preventative maintenance. Taking care of your vehicle – inside and out – now can save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars down the road. Ford agrees. These tips may be similar to our original five, but Ford has included the cost comparison of now and later for some extra incentive.

Here are 5 MORE tips to winterize your car:

1.  Check your windshield wipers and washer fluid

Windshield wipers should be replaced every six months for a vehicle kept mostly outdoors. The elements – sun, heat, cold, ice – cause the rubber to wear down. The last thing you want to happen is for the rubber to break off and metal wiper frame to scratch your windshield. Also check to make sure your washer fluid has antifreeze in it so you can use it while driving in inclement weather to keep your view crystal clear.

Cost now:   About $20.00 for each replacement wiper
Cost later:  $440 to replace your scratched windshield