Winter is upon us and based on where you live, that means you need to start getting prepared if you haven’t already. If you plan to go anywhere in your car this winter, you must ensure that car safety is a top priority. As you winterize your vehicle be sure to pay special attention to these five parts of your car. 

Get ready to winterize your vehicle

There was a time when winterizing your car was a much more involved process. It was also essential if you wanted to go anywhere in the cold temperatures. More modern cars are not as dependent on the winterizing process. You can more or less expect your vehicle to start in the cold. However, according to The Art of Manliness, there are some things you can do to help your car run well despite the winter wear and tear. 

Ways to winterize your vehicle: 

• Check your battery
• Change your wiper blades
• Refill your wiper fluid
• Consider snow tires
• Check tire pressure
• Check four-wheel drive
• Check antifreeze
• Stock car with emergency supplies
• Change oil and check the viscosity
• Check belts and hoses

Important places on your vehicle that need lubricant

When going over your checklist of winterizing your car, be sure not to forget the areas that need more lubricant care. According to Family Handyman, there are five parts in your car that need a lube touch-up before winter. 

• Window Tracks: Freezing water that seeps into the window tracks can make your windows drag. This drag can damage the regulator cables. You can simply avoid this repair bill by lubricating the window tracks. You can use spray silicone or dry Teflon spray. 
• Weather Stripping: If water gets between the door and weather stripping and freezes you can be blocked from getting in your car. You can prevent this from happening by coating the weather stripping with spray silicone. 
• Door Locks: The door locks can be easily forgotten because most people nowadays use remote keyless entry. You still need to pay attention to your locks, though. The locks can corrode over time if they do not get lubricated. That will make it impossible to use your key. If your key fob dies, you can’t get in your car at all without the help of a locksmith. You can use graphite lock lubricant or dry Teflon spray lube on the locks. 
• Latches and Hinges: What’s worse than your car not starting in the cold? Try having a hood latch that sticks, and you can’t open your hood. The latch sits right behind the grille. It can corrode and seize because of all the salt kicked up from the road. This can be prevented by lubricating the latch mechanism before winter weather arrives. 

Pack the winter essentials

There are all kinds of reasons you could be stranded in your car outside. That could be a major emergency during the winter if you live in a cold environment. The key is to be prepared for any kind of winter breakdown and avoid getting frostbite or freezing to death. If you live in a more rural area having a winter survival kit in your car is even more important.

The Family Handyman also lists these items to include in your winter survival kit: 

• Candle-Powered Heater
• Small LED Flashlight
• Cell Phone Car Charger
• Notepad with Pen or Pencil
• Portable Air Compressor
• Simple Tool Kit
• Safety Absorbent
• Jumper Cables
• Foldable Shovel
• Fix-A-Flat
• First Aid Kit
• Warm Hat and Gloves
• Warm Blanket
• Sturdy box for storage

So, make sure to winterize your car, pack your survival kit, and be safe out there this winter.