Car Winterization is the process of preparing a car for all the challenges that it will face during the winter season. Of all kinds of personal property, it can be said that automobiles are one of the hardest hit in terms of overall performance as soon as the first wave of snow falls. This is due to the fact that a car's engine relies on continuous internal combustion for it to work well, something that is extra difficult when outdoor temperatures go subzero.

1. Winterizing the Three B's – the Car's Brakes, Batteries and Belts
We will now talk about the three B’s that must be checked to make sure that your
car is ready for the winter months. These three B’s are the brakes, the batteries,
and the belts and hoses. We will talk about why they’re important and how to
make sure that they are in good working condition. Here we go!
The Brakes
One of the worst things that could ever happen to a driver is losing control of the
brakes. This becomes an even bigger concern during winter. Check your brakes
for signs of potential malfunctions to make sure that they won’t give up anytime
soon.
Moreover, also check the anti-lock braking system (ABS) of your car. The ABS
prevents your tires from stopping abruptly. If a car’s tires stops too fast, skidding
usually comes next. Skidding cars are dangerous to drive, especially on snowy,
slippery roads.
As a side note, also check the clutch and transmission for possible issues. This
particular car part can suffer a lot when a car is ran in subzero temperatures.
The Batteries
Another thing to check is the car batteries. Seeing that a car’s batteries are fully
charged and functional is not enough for you to declare that they’re fine.
Furthermore, check the batteries for signs of sulfation, or the formation of lead
sulfate crystal on the battery’s plates. Sulfation causes the battery to lose its
capability to hold an electrical charge.
The last thing that you would want to happen is getting stuck in the middle of the
road because your batteries gave up on you. Thus, it is important to inspect them
for signs of potential failure in the future. There are many things that can go
wrong with a car’s batteries, so make sure to do a complete check especially if the
batteries happen to be very old or worn-out.
You can also check the alternator for damage. The alternator is the part of the car

2. that contains a dynamo, which charges the batteries while the car is running. A
faulty alternator will cause the batteries to get discharged as the car continuously
gobbles electricity while it runs.
The Belts and Hoses
The car’s belts and hoses are probably the most neglected parts when car owners
perform inspections. This must not be the case, as these parts are just as
important as any other sector of the car’s engine. The issue with belts and hoses
is that as soon as the first hint of damage is present, the whole thing crumbles
almost instantly – this is not something that you will want to happen in the
freezing outdoors.
Belts and hoses are usually made of rubber, so that dramatically lower operating
temperatures can make them stiff and brittle. This causes them to break very
easily. Choose belts and hoses that are more resistant to cold temperatures. Keep
in mind that you may be using your car in parts of the country that cold is REALLY
cold.
What’s next?
We now have to shift our attention onto car consumables that are associated
with winterization. We are referring to fluids that are specially designed to keep a
car running smoothly under freezing weather. Furthermore, there may be special
settings that need to be applied to make sure that the car is ready for the
introduction of these substances. A car owner will also need to learn more about
anti-freeze mixtures, fuel, engine oil viscosity and more.
Are you and your car ready for winter? Visit our used cars section and download
Free Comprehensive guide on Winterizing your vehicle. For more information visit
our Ontario used cars dealership today.