HUNTSVILLE, Alabama (WAFF) - Preparing your car for freezing temperatures ahead of an arctic blast should be high on your to-do list. Cold temperatures can seriously damage your vehicle.
There are several ways to keep your car safe in freezing weather. First, stock up on some items to protect your car. Please prepare antifreeze liquid and ice packs. It prevents the fluids in your car from freezing when the temperature is below 32°.
Then buy a de-icing spray. It can be used when the car door is frozen or the windshield is covered with ice. It is important not to use hot water to defrost your car.
Car batteries can freeze in cold weather, so now is a good time to check your car battery. This is not a DIY job. You should take it to an auto parts store so a professional can check the voltage. This is a quick process that is usually free and will help you in the long run.
Last but not least, protect your brakes.
"Don't use the parking brake in freezing rain," says Yes Automotive store manager Gary Brazier. "They lock up, freeze, and cause damage. Be sure to flush the brake fluid every two years because moisture builds up in the brake system."
Mechanics are available to "warm out" your vehicle, but most mechanics are very busy during the holiday season, so it's a good idea to call ahead.
December is just the beginning of the colder months in northern Alabama, with the coldest temperatures usually occurring in January and February, so you should have your car checked soon.
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