7 Essentials Every Woman Must Know About Her Car Before Winter Hits

Two years ago when I found myself stuck in an ice storm, stranded with hundreds, if not thousands, of other Alabama drivers caught by surprise and unable to move without sliding into each other. I realized all of the AAA in the world will not help you if no one can get to you. Out of that catastrophe, the thought of Carmine was born.

Stuck with a flat tire in freezing cold weather?

QT

Did you stop by the corner Starbucks to grab your coffee this morning while driving to work?

How much time do you spend thinking about taking care of your bodies energy with your morning coffee? Should you spend 5 bucks on coffee? Is it worth it to keep yourself running strong?

Well, winter is round the corner and when driving to work we should all think a little more about taking care of our vehicle as well as ourselves.

I bet, most of us women do not give these issues the time they deserve until we have a road side emergency. That is the way it used to be for me. But, that all changed two years ago when I found myself stuck in an ice storm, stranded with hundreds, if not thousands, of other Alabama drivers caught by surprise and unable to move without sliding into each other. Ice storms in Alabama are not common and neither is emergency winter roadside equipment. All of the AAA in the world will not help you if no one can get to you. Out of that catastrophe, the thought of Carmine was born.

As an example, do you know how and if so, when is the last time you checked any of the following?

•Tire pressure?

•Do you know the size of wheel and tire you need?

•Are you sure you won’t run out of washer fluid?

•Do you know how to check the coolant before a road trip or how often through routine maintenance?

•Is your car battery in good condition? How long is the warranty?

•Do you have a handy kit for emergencies?

Still thinking? You are not alone. Most men don’t blink twice before changing a flat tire, replacing a headlight, replacing wiper blades or simply checking basic fluids and preventative maintenance. Most women shy away from any hands-on or DIY approach. I want to change that for all of us as well as for new drivers.

Here are 7 essential things you must know about your car before the cold weather slams in.

1.How to check the tire pressure

Carmine

Spare a thought on why your tire can collapse without warning in cold weather. Remember, driving on over or under inflated tires can turn out to be very expensive especially when the temperature drops in late fall.

According to Livescience.com, “In cold weather, the chilly air inside car tires contracts, decreasing air pressure. Mechanics use the rule of thumb that for every drop of 10 degrees Fahrenheit, tires lose 1 pound per square inch (PSI) of pressure. This pressure loss causes tires to flatten slightly, leaving the side sitting on the asphalt looking like a pancake.

Tires typically warm up when the car starts moving, but when the mercury hits about minus 30 F (minus 34 C), that doesn’t happen very quickly. The result is a bumpy ride as the car runs on not-quite-round wheels… Mechanics recommend everyone double-check tire pressure in the winter to make sure tires aren’t under-inflated due to cold weather.” Bad tire pressure leads to ruined tires, which is very expensive and unsafe.

This is an example of incorrect tire pressure damage and a few other common issues:

On the inside of your driver side door, you will find the tire pressure levels recommended for your front and back tires. Even if your light doesn’t go on, always check your tire pressure. Don’t venture out on tires weakened due to falling temperatures.

To ensure women drivers don’t need to head to the local air pump to check tire pressure, I have added a handy tire pressure gauge Carmine, the customized car care kit for every woman. We are currently raising funds on Indiegogo.

With your help I hope to bring Carmine into the market by December.

Each and Every Carmine is personalized according to the year, make and model of your unique vehicle.

The information below serves as a basic outline of the essential things you must know to save money, to stay safe and to take care of your investment:

A.Recommended tire pressure
B.Recommended fluids & where they go Illustrated for your specific engine

* Oil

* Coolant

* Fluid

* Wiper Fluid

2.How to fill up your tires with air

Carmine

Don't risk driving on tires that are running low on air. Get to the local air pump or keep a portable air compressor handy. Fill the appropriate amount of air in your tires. Keep a close watch on the tire pressure and any tires that need air – it could be due to a leak or sudden fall in temperatures.

3.How to check washer fluid

QuickTrick

Running out of fluid just when your windshield is caked with salt after a snowstorm is one of the worst nightmares of cold weather driving. But if you know how to check the washer fluid, you won’t run out.

Open the bonnet (before I forget, knowing how to open the bonnet is also an essential how-to every woman driver must know about her car), identify the cap to the washer reservoir and check the level of fluid was above the min mark on the side.

The Carmine comes with an illustrated picture of your engine bay with indicators showing which fluids are where for your specific year make and model. No guessing.

4.How to check the coolant

Water and coolant (antifreeze) are essential in your vehicle's radiator to keep your engine cool. In the winter, check your coolant before setting off for a long drive (well, actually in the summers too to prevent overheating).

A simple way of doing this is to check whether the liquid reaches the "Full" line on the side of the coolant reservoir and you don't need to open the cap on the radiator to do that. If the level is below the minimum mark on the reservoir, you are running the risk of overheating your engine. A coolant leak is another reason why your coolant level is running low.

Wondering where your coolant is?

Our innovative Carmine customized car care kit will contain a detailed diagram of your engine, specific to your car's year, make and model. The illustrated picture of your engine which you will receive with your Carmine will clearly indicate the location openings for your vital fluids, which ensures you are able to check them and know what goes in them.

5.How to check the battery condition

According to autobatteries.com, "Fully charged automotive batteries should measure at 12.6 volts or above. When the engine is running, this measurement should be 13.7 to 14.7 volts."

A quick way to know the state of your battery is to start the engine and turn on the headlights. Have your car battery tested at least once a year, preferably when the cold weather begins.

6.How to ensure your in-car heating system is in good condition

Well, here we come back to the coolant again. For the heating system of your vehicle to work efficiently, maintain your cooling system properly.

The coolant being at a full level with no leaks is very important too for proper operation. Have the coolant flushed regularly and refilled with the correct and clean coolant/water mix.

7.Carry the All in One Emergency Tool Kit

Carmine

An emergency kit is as essential as keeping gloves and a warm blanket in the car. Also included with your Carmine is the Auto Safety Tool Kit, which includes 12 tools to help you in any vehicle emergency.

This tool kit includes the following:

•Emergency beacon and flashlight with 2000X zoom for a focused beam

•Seat belt cutter

•Windshield hammer

•Flat screwdriver and Phillips head screwdriver

•Large/small screwdrivers

•Bottle and can openers

•Scissors

•Knife

Once you have ticked off all these on your checklist, you are all set for driving in the cold weather – confident, safe, aware and prepared.