How To: Not Total Your Car

     Winter is coming along, and in Chicago that means bringing the snow-thrower and hefty coats up from the basement. What people tend forget about is their car. Because most cars on the road today have automatic transmissions, as opposed to manuals (otherwise known as stick-shift), they require little thought and talent to drive.
     With my generation so used to everything being computerized and pre-programmed, in addition to us being new at driving, a majority of drivers neglect to prepare their vehicles properly for the oncoming seasonal shift. Just yesterday, I saw two confused teenagers broken down on the sides of roads due to a lack of preparedness for the drop in temperatures, and it hasn't even snowed yet. As it gets gradually colder, you should be periodically checking these things on your car:

• Tires: When the air in your tires gets colder, it becomes more compact and the pressure in your tires decreases. Depending on the type of tires you've got, this may not be very dramatic, however you will get the best mileage out of your car if the tires are at the right pressure. Also, your chances of sliding on ice and slush are lower if your tires are properly pressurized, because the treads will be able to make the most contact with the road. Don't forget to check the spare.

• Antifreeze: This stuff goes in your car's radiator, and should be a 50/50 mix of antifreeze solution (which can be bought almost anywhere) and water. Make sure you don't buy the pre-mixed solution, because it's the same price as a full bottle of antifreeze, but it's half water. Antifreeze prevents your radiator from freezing in the winter, and from boiling in the summer. 

• Wipers: If you're driving along and snow, slush, freezing rain, or other various goops begin to fall from the sky, you're going to hope that your wiper blades are nice and sharp. They generally need to be replaced every six to twelve months. Dull wiper blades will leave streaks on your windshield.

• Windshield Washer Fluid: The salt used to melt ice on roads will get kicked up by cars driving in front of you and end up on your windshield. If you fill your washer fluid reservoir with water, it's not going to be as effective at getting rid of these vision impairments, plus if it's below freezing outside it's likely to freeze inside of the reservoir. 

     If you have don't understand what any of the above information means, have someone who does take a glance at your car every couple of weeks. No matter how luxurious or well safety-rated your car is, it must be properly maintained in order to function correctly.