Tips for cold, cold car care

Cars, like people, don't function as well in cold weather. Your car doesn't like it anymore than you. Because most employers frown on hibernating, we've compiled a list of precautions to increase the odds of your car functioning in extreme or unseasonable cold.

- Preventative:

If you don't have time to visit the mechanic, there are some things you can do on your own to optimize your vehicle's performance.

Battery power:

Change the battery. Mechanics recommend changing it every three years, though you could get away with five years, depending on how much you drive and how you drive. If you see a mechanic, have him or her check the battery and replace the spark plugs.

Make sure the cables are not loose. With the engine off, see if the cables can slip free from the nodes. Don't yank, but be firm. Tightening the nut is easy