ST. LOUIS — The winter months are tough on cars, so make sure you're prepared now so you can save money in the long run. Whether it's winterizing your car or making sure you're safe on the road, having a plan headed into winter could cost you less than $100.
Here are a few cheap things you can buy to help winterize your car.
De-Icer Windshield Washer Fluid, $5
Buying a can of de-icer windshield washer fluid can cost as little as $5 but could save you a lot of time and energy in the long run when your windows are iced over. This special washer solvent ends up doing the de-icing work for you.
"It actually does scrubbing and de-icing," says Pat Hamill, the owner of St. Louis Auto and Truck Repair. "It'll actually help if you start your car, spray it on, wait about 30 seconds, and it makes it a lot easier to scrape ice off."
Hamill says he's also used it to thaw outdoors before, too.
Diesel Fuel Anti-Gel, $7
For people who have diesel engines, an anti-gel is great because diesel tends to gel up during the cold months. It's mostly for trucks, but you may need it if you drive a Volkswagen or another diesel car.
Ice Melt, $7.50
Ice melt is great to have you in car in case you get stuck. Hamill recommends keeping a can of it in your trunk.
"Put this on the ground, wait a few minutes for the ice to thaw out a little bit, and then you can move," he says. You can also use kitty litter. Hamill does not recommend using salt because it will corrode if you leave it in your trunk for a long time.
Small Flashlight, $6
Hamill says you should always have a small flashlight in your trunk that will stand up on its own so you can see what you're doing as opposed to holding the flashlight in your hand. His flashlight had a stand on the back so that it could stand on its own like a picture frame.
Lubricant spray, $20
With so many people using remote starts on their cars, Hamill says it's good to use lubricant spray to use on their locks in case the remote goes dead in the cold. If you haven't used your key in a long time, you might want to spray some lubricant in the keyhole once or twice a year. Hamill uses a brand called Tri Flow.
Winter Windshield Blades, $20-$25
A lot of people don't realize that there are special winter windshield blades they can use that have a plastic embodiment that keeps out ice and snow. You can ask someone to install them wherever you buy your wipers.
Check your oil - FREE
"Don't forget to check your oil every third tank of gas," said Hamill. "If you've got a car over a hundred thousand miles, you need to check your oil."
Read more ways to make ends meet here.