Driving in the cold and snowy months are often the cause of stress for some drivers. Being prepared for whatever mother nature throws our way is one sure fire way to beat the winter blues. These tips below will help you prepare for the long cold winter ahead.

1. At least once a month during the cold weather put a bottle of fuel de-icer in your gas tank. This will help to keep the moisture in your tank and can prevent your fuel from freezing.
2. Get in the habit of checking the pressure in your tires. Worn tires will do you no good in the battle against snow and ice.
3. Rotate your tires as needed and always be sure to keep a spare with you for emergencies. Also ensure that the jack is in good working order as well.
4. Carry an emergency kit with you in the event that your car breaks down and you are stranded. This kit should include a blanket, bottles of water, flares, first aid kit as well as gloves to help keep you warm.
5. Make sure the cooling system has been flushed. Check the level of the cooling system as well and replenish as needed. These levels should be checked routinely
6. Replace any old and dirty filters. These include air filters, fuel filters and PCV filters.
7. Have your oil changed and make sure you are using the proper oil for the cold months.
8. It is always wise to have your car checked by your local mechanic. They can check to make sure your car is good running condition and that there are no major problems.
9. Lastly, be sure to check the battery. Make sure the connections are and scrape away any corrosion from the cable connections. Be sure to wear the proper protective equipment when working on your battery.

[image by Endlisnis on flickr]

If you car seems to temperamental and starts sometimes and other times it will not, one problem could be the battery. A bad battery in a car can create a multitude of problems, so always make sure that you have a good battery. Here are 3 indications that it may be time for a new battery

1. Starting issues- If you have days where your car will just not start and other days where the car seems to have no issues starting, the issue could lie in the battery. Have your car checked for a faulty battery.
2. Headlights Dim- If you have noticed that while the engine is off, your headlights appear to dim after a few minutes, this could point to bad battery. It may also be an indicator that the bulbs need replacing, but if you are seeing all your headlights appear to be dimmer, the chances are great that battery is to blame.
3. Length of time battery has been in car- How long has it been since you changed your battery? Are the wires corroded? Do you live in an area where you do with extreme weather? All of these will play a role in the longevity of your battery.

Batteries will generally just stop working when they have no juice left. However, if you start seeing these signs it may be wise to get the car looked out before your wind up stranded somewhere.

[image by Charles Williams on flickr]

With winter right around the corner, there is no better time to start getting your car ready for the upcoming season. These 4 simple tips should help get you on your way to winterizing your car.

1. Get the right oil and get your oil changed- Is it time for your routine oil change?  This may be the best time to schedule your appointment. You will also want to keep in mind that as it gets colder out the oil tends to thicken as well. If you live in an area where snow and cold is common make sure that you get the right oil for the time of year. The oil should have the right thickness and if you are unsure please consult your owner’s manual
2. Check your Windshield- Make sure that you can see clearly through your windshield. When is the last time that you had your wiper blades replaced? It is recommended to change them once a year, so if it has been longer, get them changed before the snow comes. Be sure to make sure that your windshield washer solution is filled up as well. This would also be a great time to check that  both your heater and defroster are in proper working order.
3. Check those tires- Make sure they are properly inflated and the tires are in good working condition. In order to get the best traction in the snow, your tires need to be in the best shape possible.  Consider switching to snow tires if you live in area with a lot of snow.
4. Check under the hood- Examine your belts and hoses. Look for any cracks as cold weather is known to crack some hoses. While you are under the hood, examine the battery and ensure there is not to much corrosion and that all the connection are in working order.

[image by personagrata.me on flickr]

1. Keep a car log. Keep a log detailing each time you put gas in your car and the mileage at that time.  Keeping a log allows the owner to keep track of gas mileage.  If gas mileage worsens it can be a sign that your car needs some attention.  Also keep a log dating and detailing each time you have any maintenance done on your car.
2. Park in shaded areas. Parking in shaded areas helps protect both the interior and exterior of the the vehicle.  Park in a garage when one is available.
3. Wax. Wax your car to protect paint.  In addition to protecting paint, waxing makes the car shine and keep it’s fresh appearance.  The best wax to use is a paste wax.
4. Keep tires well inflated. Keeping tires properly inflated increases the amount of time in between purchasing new tires.  Purchase a tire pressure gauge and use it every month.
5. Rotate tires. Rotating tires allows for the max amount of tire life by distributing tire wear.

1. Compare  car shipping rates. When looking to ship your car always compare car shipping rates.  Car shipping can be costly which is why comparing car shipping rates is important.  Many websites offer car shipping quotes for multiple companies.  Keep in mind that lower is not always better.  Finding an auto transport company that can get the job done at a reasonable price is the goal.
2. Choose a reliable auto transport company. Research each auto transport company of interest.  Visit their website for a car shipping quote.  When considering an auto transport company search the web for customer reviews on that particular company.
3. Avoid scams. Avoid  car shipping companies that give a low price that sounds too good to be true.  Such companies need to find an auto transport company to accept the price quote they gave.  Many companies will not accept the price quote as it is too low.
4. Read the contract. Read the contract before signing.  This should always be the case in all contracts, including the contract between yourself and the auto transport company.  Read small print and check for any hidden fees.

All modern automobiles contain air filters. The job of the air filter is to keep airborne contaminants from going into the car’s engine and causing problems. Instead of getting drawn into the engine, the contaminants are soaked up by the paper filter. Common blocked contaminants include dust, leaves, bugs, dirt, rocks, and other common outdoor items.

While you might be tempted to skip servicing your air filter to save money, this is not recommended. If you do not properly service your car’s air filters, the filter will get clogged, which can cause huge problems for your engine. Not only will you shorten the life of your engine and your car, but you will also experience a less smooth and less safe drive.

The good news is that it’s incredibly easy to replace your car’s air filters on your own. You simply head to an auto parts store and ask for a replacement air filter for your car’s make and model. The instructions for changing the filter and installing the new one will be listed on the packaging. Check your vehicle’s owner manual to determine how often you need to change your air filters. If you don’t feel confident doing the replacement yourself, labor is generally cheap for this simple task.