One way to ensure your car, truck or SUV will start this winter is to keep it in your McHenry garage. But, inevitably, you’ll have to go somewhere this winter. You’ll drive your vehicle to the store, to the office, to school, to your friend’s house, to a party. And your car, truck or SUV will wind up sitting out in the cold until you’re ready to return home. Starting your car in winter will take more than a warm garage.

The cold thickens the oil in your engine’s crankcase. That makes it much harder for the starter to turn the engine over until the combustion cycle takes over. If the starter is old and draws too many amps, it will test the battery’s ability to provide the required amperage. If the battery is weak, even a healthy starter may not have the electrical support to start the engine.

This brings up two key components in your car, truck or SUV to consider as another McHenry winter approaches:

• Is the battery healthy and strong enough to turn the engine over on those bitter cold days ahead?
• Is the starter too old and too hungry for what the battery can feed?

There are other questions, too. For instance:

• Are the wires running from the battery to the starter and to the ground on your car, truck or SUV’s engine block in good enough condition?
• Has the oil been changed recently (old oil may be thicker)?
• Are you running the prescribed winter oil in your vehicle?
• Is the engine in good working condition?

This last point is crucial. When you turn the key and the starter starts turning the crankshaft, the sooner the engine fires and begins to run on its own, the better. The longer the battery and starter are called upon, the more likely it is that they’ll run out of steam before the job is done.

It’s also a good idea to keep the fuel tank reasonably full – at least half full. Otherwise, freezing condensation can cause blockages of fuel lines.

Some people install a block heater in their engine. This can help, particularly if you can’t park the car, truck of SUV in the garage. But, once again, you’re liable to leave your McHenry home sometime this winter and you won’t always be able to plug the engine-block heater in. Your best bet is to have your vehicle checked out so that you know it’s ready for the rigors of winter.