Battery – Batteries lose power in cold temperatures. Before it gets too cold outside, check the battery terminals for signs of any corrosion, make sure the connectors fit tightly and that there are no cracks in the cables. In addition, check the voltage. A full charge is 12.6 to 12.8 volts and a half charge is 12.2-12.4 volts. If it's below that, you may want to replace your battery, particularly if it's 3-5 years old.
Antifreeze - Did you know that the antifreeze in your car is actually a mix of antifreeze and water?Check your antifreeze level, and if it's low, add antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol.
Engine Oil – In warmer weather, engine oil with high viscosity (meaning it's thicker) is fine, but in winter, thinner oil is better. You may want to consider 10W-40 in the summer and 5W-30 in the winter. Check the recommendations of your car’s manufacturer.
Windshield Washer Fluid – Fill your windshield washer reservoir with a washer fluid that contains de-icing fluid instead of water. You'll find it will be helpful for removing frost from your windshield.
Gas – In cold weather, condensation (water) can form on the walls of your gas tank, and water in your gas tank can cause your fuel line to freeze. So keep your car filled up to avoid freezing it up!
Lights – If your headlights look foggy, they may be "etched." Remove the etching to ensure you can see properly in less-than-ideal driving conditions. In addition, be sure to remove any snow that has covered your headlights and tail lights so you can see the road and other cars, and they can see you.
Windshield – If you find a chip in your windshield, get it fixed before the temperature falls below freezing. If you don't, the chip could turn into a crack, and the bigger the crack is, the more dangerous it is. Since most insurance companies will pay for chip repair if you buy the coverage, and most glass companies will come to your home or business, there's no reason not to get it fixed.
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