Winterize your car
by David Toht
When leaves begin to fall and the temperature drops, it’s time to winterize your car. Do it early — don’t wait for the first snowfall when everyone rushes to buy scrapers, snow brushes and winter-grade washer fluid. And by preparing early, you have time to clear out the garage so you can shelter your car from wintry blasts.
Dave Toht is a car geek and former carpenter with more than 60 DIY books to his credit.
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Trend tidbit
Blue Canyon, California is the nation’s snowiest city, accumulating roughly 240 inches of snow a year.
Source: National Climatic Data Center
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Keep wax off
When waxing your car, avoid getting wax on rubber and vinyl, where it leaves an ugly film. If you do, remove it with window cleaner and an old toothbrush.
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Long-lasting light
Changing the light bulb in your garage door opener is even less fun than changing one in the house. Put it off — use a long-lasting compact fluorescent bulb.
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Pressure drop
Tire pressure drops about 1 psi for every 10-degree drop in temperature, so check and inflate tires as needed in winter, because properly inflated tires grip slick roads better.
