10 practical ways to prepare for cold weather

It's grown cold, and in some areas, snow is already flying. But it's not too late to prepare for even colder weather. For both car and home, I've got 10 practical ways to prepare for cold weather.

Vehicle tips to prepare for cold weather

(1) Get your car waxed and the metal undercarriage pretreated. By waxing your whole vehicle before roads get icy, you can greatly reduce the damage caused by road salt. The wax provides an extra protective layer, helping keep salt from sticking and eating through your car's finish. By getting your vehicle's undercarriage pretreated by your mechanic or repair shop, you can help prevent salt and slush from sticking to the metal parts. The pretreatment is an oil solution that lasts for up to a year. Solutions such as Fluid Film are lanolin-based and environmentally friendly.

(2) Get an alignment (if needed), have your tires rotated, the brakes and tire wear inspected, and all the tires properly inflated. The last thing you want on slippery roads is a car that pulls due to a misalignment or to have soft brakes and balding tires that won't stop you in icy conditions. Improperly inflated tires don't connect with the road like they should, and cold weather causes tire pressure to drop, so don't neglect to check your psi. I recommend a full winter inspection and attending to any vehicle needs before the weather and roads worsen.

(3) Replace your wiper blades and window washing fluid. Worn down or bent wiper blades aren't going to cut through ice buildup and blowing snow. Driving without a clear windshield is dangerous. Invest in heavier grade wipers, and get deicing window washing fluid into your washer reservoir.

(4) Have your battery checked, clean any corrosion on your battery posts and connections, and check the water level inside the battery. Cold weather calls for more power from your battery in order for the vehicle to start. You can get your battery performance checked for free at most auto parts stores, such as AutoZone and O'Reilly Auto Parts. To clean the battery terminals, and ensure the best contact between your battery and wiring, you can purchase the items needed to do it yourself or pay a mechanic. Checking your battery's distilled water level is quickly accomplished visually, and easily remedied, if needed. Just be sure you disconnect the battery first, take care not to overfill the water holes, and re-seat the hole covers securely.

(5) Adjust your antifreeze and change the oil to one rated for better winter running. A vehicle's antifreeze can't do its job properly if the ratio is off. Typically the recommendation is a 50/50 ratio of antifreeze to water, although some recommend a slightly higher ratio of antifreeze to water in cold conditions (such as 60/40). Be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for your make and model. Likewise, the oil that lubricates the engine often needs to be adjusted for winter. The thicker the oil, the worse it works in cold weather, so going to a thinner oil can improve winter performance, especially in starting the car on cold mornings. Consult your owner's manual or your mechanic for the best oil type for your specific vehicle.

Home tips to prepare for cold weather:

(1) Change your furnace filter and get your heating system tuned and cleaned. Both a dirty filter and a furnace system that hasn't been cleaned or tuned-up reduces efficiency and costs you in heating costs.

(2) Cover windows with window plastic, install door draft sweeps, and beef up caulking and weather stripping. All are inexpensive ways to decrease heat loss. To locate leaks, very carefully and slowly move a lighter (like a long-handled candle lighter) along window and door edges. If the smoke and flame waver even when held still, you are either losing warm air out or getting unwanted cold air in.

(3) Spray your shovels with kitchen nonstick cooking spray to improve snow sliding off when thrown.

(4) Sprinkle your walkways, stairs, and driveways with salt now. Once the rainy season has passed, you should sprinkle rock salt ahead of the ice. Starting with a bottom layer of salt reduces ice buildup. Lay down more layers of salt as needed throughout the season.

(5) Insulate pipes and your water heater. Save money, and keep your hot water hot longer, with good insulation around both the pipes and the water heater.