• Home
  • Denver Auto Repair Services
    • Full Service Oil Change
    • Expert Mechanics
      • Expert Honda Mechanics
      • Expert Toyota Mechanics
      • Expert Subaru Mechanics
    • Automatic Transmission
    • Fuel System Cleaning
    • Radiator Flush Service
    • Wiper Blades
    • Air Filter
    • Cabin Air Filter
    • Gearbox Service
    • Brake Repair
    • Clutch Repair
    • CV Boots
    • Tune-Up
    • Steering & Suspension
    • Tires
  • Auto Diagnostic
  • Contact Us
    • About Us
  • Shop Specials
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • 303-691-2760

Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

  • Brake Service
  • Car Maintenance
    • Heating-Air Conditioning
    • Suspension
    • Transmission
    • Engine
    • Tires
  • Oil Change
  • Tips & Tricks

Winterizing a Car with Household Items

December 1, 2010 by Denver Express Car Care Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again, the holidays are approaching and so are the cooler temperatures.  We don’t always have time in our busy holiday schedules to deal with minor inconveniences caused by winter weather.  So here are some suggestions for winterizing a car using household items that most of us have in our pantry.  Winterizing A Car with Household Items

Michael Calkins, manager of AAA’s Approved Auto Repair program recommends using petroleum jelly on the  battery terminal caps to stop battery corrosion.  Simply remove the terminal caps and clean any existing corrosion with a wire brush, then coat the terminals with petroleum jelly.  The jelly forms an airtight seal that wards off  salt, slush, and mud, which causes corrosion on the battery terminals.

If you are going to store a car rather than winterize and drive it, there is a possibility of rodents building nests in your engine.  To discourage the little pests from nibbling on wires and making a home in your engine, tape a peppermint tea bag to the engine, away from moving parts.  The minty scent will repel rodents and keep them away through the winter.

Winter driving here in Colorado means snow one day, slush and mud the next.  This plays havoc on our cars as well as our headlights.  To keep your headlights doing their job, clean them and then apply a nonabrasive car wax with a soft cloth.  The wax is water-repellent and leaves a barrier that keeps dirt from building up.  It’s recommended to do this once a month.

Have you ever gone out to start your car in the morning and not be able to open the door because it’s frozen shut?  There is a simple winterizing trick for this.  Coat the rubber door seals with cooking-oil spray.  It repels the water that would otherwise collect on the rubber seals and freeze, causing the doors to freeze  shut.

Another problem we have in the winter is the frost accumulating on the inside of our windows, obstructing our view and increasing our chances of having an accident.  To prevent this, dissolve 2 tsp. of salt in a gallon of water and wipe the insides of the windows and windshield with this mixture.  As the mixture dries, it leaves an invisible layer of salt–which has a low freezing temperature, and will help keep frost from forming on the windows  for a month or more! Please don’t use this mixture on the outside of the car because the salt could cause corrosion to the exposed metal.

So before you go out shopping or drive to that holiday party,  winterize your car with these common items and see if your  life seems a  little bit easier!  I’m going to try them out right now!

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Winterizing tips

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Express Car Care
4200 E. Evans Ave. Denver, CO (map)
Phone: (303) 691-2760
Located just southeast of the Colorado Light Rail station

Follow Us Today!

  • Facebook
  • RSS

Shop Hours

Monday: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Tuesday: 8:00AM – 5:o0PM
Wednesday: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Thursday: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Friday: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Saturday: Closed – A note from the owner
Sunday: Closed

Last car oil change time  – 5:00PM

Click for the BBB Business Review of this Auto Repair & Service in Denver CO

Recent Articles

Warning Signs Your Brakes Need Immediate Attention

Warning Signs Your Brakes Need Immediate Attention

The humdrum of the daily drive. You sit at more stop lights than you can count. You slam on your brakes a time or two as the traffic turns into chaos. And hills - you might have a few of them thrown … [Read More...]

  • Finding a Family-Owned Auto Shop You Can Trust in Denver
  • The Most Common Car Repairs in Denver—And How to Avoid Them
  • The Top 5 Reasons Cars Fail Emissions Tests in Denver
  • Check These 6 Fluids Regularly to Keep Your Car Running Smoothly
  • How to Know If Your Vehicle Needs a Cooling System Check

Search Our Site

Brakes Service

Warning Signs Your Brakes Need Immediate Attention

Affordable Brake Pad Replacement in Denver: What You Need to Know

How to Prevent and Fix Uneven Brake Pad Wear

Oil Change

Oil Change Specials in Denver: Save Money and Keep Your Car Running Right

Why Regular Oil Changes Are Crucial for Denver Drivers

The Benefits of Using High-Quality Motor Oil for Your Engine

Suspension

How to Know If Your Car Needs Suspension Repair in Denver’s Bumpy Roads

A Guide To Understanding Bushings on a Car

Tips for Preventing Wear and Tear on Your Car’s Suspension

Transmision Service

Transmission Trouble? Common Signs and When to Visit Our Denver Shop

How to Prevent Common Issues with Automatic Transmissions

Understanding the Signs of Transmission Problems and How to Fix Them

Engine Service

Is Your Car Hesitating During Acceleration?

How to Troubleshoot a Rough Idling Engine

Signs Your Car’s Water Pump Might Be Failing

Auto Tips & Tricks

Check Engine Light On? Here’s What Denver Drivers Need to Know

The Importance of Regular Wheel Alignment for Tire Longevity

The Benefits of a Well-Maintained Suspension System

"Denvers Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube" - Copyright © 2025 - 4200 E. Evans Ave. Denver, CO 303-691-2760