Prepare Your Car for Winter Weather With Tips From CarMax

RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 25, 2005 -- As winter approaches, CarMax, Inc. , the nation's largest retailer of used cars, offers advice on how to make sure your vehicle is ready for cold weather.

"Harsh winter weather can create real challenges for autos," said Lane Fleming, CarMax ASE Master Technician. "That is why it is so important to take the necessary steps to ready your car for the cold weather season."

  CarMax's automotive service technicians offer these ten winterizing tips:

  1.  Check your anti-freeze.  The best ratio of anti-freeze to water is
      50/50.  Flush the cooling system every two years.

  2.  Replace your windshield wiper blades annually.  Fill the windshield
      washer reservoir with washer fluid (plain water will freeze), and keep
      an extra gallon in the trunk.

  3.  Check your battery.  If the battery is more than three years old, have
      a professional test its ability to hold a charge through the winter.
      Make sure the battery terminal ends are corrosion-free.  Check the
      water level in the battery and top it off with distilled water, if
      necessary.

  4.  Check your tire pressure.  Check the pressure when the tires are cold,
      and set the pressure to manufacturer recommendations for your specific
      tires.  When the weather is cold, the air inside the tire will
      contract and the pressure will drop.

  5.  Look at the tread depth on your tires.  Put a penny headfirst between
      the treads.  If you can still see the top of Lincoln's hair, it's time
      to replace the tire.

  6.  Check your spare tire.  Make sure it has the proper air pressure and
      tread depth and that all the proper tire-changing equipment is in the
      trunk.

  7.  Check that your lights, heater, and defroster are working properly.

  8.  Check all rubber hoses and belts to ensure they are not damaged or
      loose.  When the engine is cool, run your hands along the hoses and
      squeeze each inch to make sure the hoses are not crunchy or wet.
      Alternatively, have a professional inspect the hoses and belts.

  9.  Get a brake check if you haven't had one in the last six months.

  10. Assemble a winter emergency kit for the trunk of your car.  It should
      include a blanket, extra boots and gloves, an ice scraper, jumper
      cables, a first-aid kit, flares, a small snow shovel, a flashlight,
      kitty litter (for traction when stuck in the snow), and bottled water.

"In addition, slower is always better when driving in winter weather," Fleming said. "Driving slower gives both you and your car more time to react during inclement weather."

About CarMax

CarMax, a FORTUNE 500 company, and one of the FORTUNE 2005 "100 Best Companies to Work For," is the nation's largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 65 used car superstores in 29 markets. CarMax also operates seven new car franchises, all of which are integrated or co-located with its used car superstores. During the twelve month period ended August 31, 2005, the company sold 278,178 used cars, which is 93 percent of the total 299,138 vehicles the company retailed during that period. For more information, access the CarMax website at http://www.carmax.com/.