1. Cars must be cleared off completely. When the cold weather hits, many car owners are faced with an added car care responsibility: snow removal. Before it is driven, a car should be completely free of snow. Most importantly, all snow and ice needs to be removed from the windshields, windows, headlights, taillights, and mirrors. It's also important to brush snow off of the hood, so that it doesn't fly up into the windshield and obscure the driver's vision when speeds are increased. And snow that is left on the roof or trunk can blow off into a trailing driver's vision. 

2. Keep a bottle of Heet on hand. When car owners keep one or two bottles of Heet (or any other cold weather fuel additive) in their trunk, it helps ensure that they won't be stranded after a long day at work, or a night spent over at a friend or relative's house. Sometimes, in extremely cold conditions, cars simply won't start—even cars that are generally well cared for and maintained. In some cases, water in the gas line may even freeze, causing a major ignition problem. Adding Heet to the fuel supply may be just the boost the car needs to start up in these extremely cold conditions. 

3. Slower speeds save lives. In winter conditions, the automobile's operator should be willing to make some changes to their driving habits, not just their car maintenance habits. Dropping speeds slightly in snowy and icy conditions ensures that everyone will make it home safely. Winter road conditions can be extremely deceptive and extremely dangerous; any car owner who does not feel comfortable driving in cold weather conditions should call for a ride instead of getting behind the wheel. 

4. Driving should be limited. Just like driving slower, driving less can save lives during cold weather. Every time a car goes onto the road, it's a chance for the driver to end up in an accident, potentially stranded in a ditch, or in a disabled car with no heat. In cold weather, minor accidents and commonplace automobile failures can be potentially fatal. Cold weather is dangerous, and drivers should only use the roadways during these dangerous times when absolutely necessary. 

5. Warm it up ahead of time. For a car to operate at optimum performance, it needs time to warm up before being operated in cold conditions. Although saving gas is a noble goal, a car that isn't given ten minutes to warm up in cold weather won't perform well, and is a potential danger to the driver, as well as to other cars on the road. Cars that are given ample time to idle before being driven in cold weather are much less likely to stall (plus it gives the car's interior time to warm up, which is essential for driver comfort and clear windows.)