If you’re among those who don’t have the luxury of parking your car in a garage 24/7, you’ve probably become well acquainted with your snow scraper this winter.

And if you loathe scraping or find it somewhat ineffective, here are three affordable, homemade de-icing solutions from the minds at Wisebread and DollarStretcher.com:

1. To prevent frost on your windows, mix three parts vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle. Apply to all the car windows before going to bed at night.
2. To remove very thick ice from your windshield, mix one part water to two parts rubbing alcohol. Apply to the window and watch it peel right off!
3. To remove ice, use a bottle of 70% isopropyl alcohol with a few drops of dish soap. Apply liberally to the glass with a spray bottle.

With light snow in this weekend’s forecast, it’s a good time to think about preparing your vehicles for winter. The process doesn’t have to be expensive, and it could save you time and headaches when the heavy flakes begin to fall.

For starters, consider using snow tires for navigating those snow-laden side streets that don’t get cleared as quickly as major thoroughfares. If snow tires are not in the budget, at least check your tires’ air pressure and make sure all tires have adequate tread depth. Also, be sure your vehicle’s four-wheel drive system is working properly after not being used in summer months.

While you’re under the hood, check to make sure the transmission and gear oil levels are correct. Then, change the engine oil and adjust the viscosity grade for wintertime driving. Be sure to inspect the belts and hoses for problems because cold weather can exacerbate any issues that might be festering. Next, inspect the wipers to make sure they can stand up to freezing rain and snow, and replenish wiper fluid if necessary.

Be sure to check the vehicle’s battery because cold temperatures can reduce battery power by up to 50 percent. If the battery is older than three years, we can test it for you to make sure it’s ready to handle the rigors of winter.

Next, check the antifreeze mixture using an antifreeze tester. The ideal mixture of antifreeze and water inside your vehicle’s radiator is 50:50. If the mixture deviates from this, then hot- and cold-weather performance can be compromised.

Finally, it’s always best to be prepared for any situation by carrying an emergency kit inside the car. If you don’t already carry these items, consider putting together a package that includes the
following:

• A flashlight, flares and a first-aid kit.
• Jumper cables, a tool kit and tire chains.
• A blanket, warm clothes and gloves.
• Paper towels.
• A bag of abrasive material, such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter for when tires are stuck in snow.
• A snow brush, ice scraper and snow shovel.
• Extra washer fluid.
• Extra food and water.

Don’t wait until the thermometer drops below freezing to make sure your vehicle is prepared! As always, we are standing by to help with your wintertime preparations.

Source: Edmunds.com