Similar to the preparations students must make to prepare for subzero temperatures — bundling up, staying hydrated, etc. — it is important for car owners to give similar attention to their vehicles in order to avoid the inevitable early-morning car failure. Faculty members from the MSU Energy and Automotive Research Labs have some advice to students looking to keep their cars running as the polar vortex makes its way to MSU.

Check Batteries

Professor George Zhu suggests, “The first thing ... is looking to the batteries. Make sure that you have a good battery that will be able to support the engine.” Once the batteries have been checked, and replaced if necessary, students can start focusing on other areas of concern.

Stay Fueled

Professor Harold Schock, director of the EARL, warned that there are a myriad of factors contributing to cars getting less mileage in the winter. “Gasoline has a different composition in the summer and in the winter, and winter gasoline has compounds which don’t have quite as much energy as summer gasoline ... so your fuel economy goes down a little bit.” Schock said.

Check Wipers and Lights

Schock pointed out that in winter conditions you “have to run lights and windshield wipers more frequently.” Lights and windshield wipers are crucial in winter conditions so it is vital to ensure they are running properly before ending up in the middle of a blizzard. Additionally, Zhu emphasized the importance of checking windshield wiper fluid levels to ensure they don’t run out, especially in situations like highway driving.

Keep Cool

Although coolant might not be the first thing drivers think of when they prepare their car for winter, Zhu said it is important to “make sure that the mixture is right, because if you mix it with too much water the coolant could freeze.” Frozen coolant can lead to serious engine problems and costly repairs.

Park in the Garage

Although Schock did say defrosting your car can be necessary for safety reasons involving visibility, he also warned that leaving your car running to warm it up further lowers the fuel economy. “The fuel economy when you’re running the car in the driveway is basically zero,” Schock said. “You’re not going any miles for the fuel you use, so the best thing to do is to park it in the garage.”

Prepare for the Worst

Even with the utmost preparation, winter driving is dangerous and unpredictable. Zhu said, “Keep a blanket in the car. Just in case your car does have any problems and you’re on the highway or somewhere waiting for help, you won’t get too cold.”

Check back tomorrow for a guide to winter bicycle care.