Liz Allison Teams With AutoVantage: Weather Winter With Car Maintenance Tips From Leading Auto Club
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NORWALK, Conn., Jan. 15, 2008 -- Driving safely is tough enough as is. Adding in the dangers of slippery roads, fog, snow and ice require us to be even more diligent and to take a few more precautions before we leave the house.
"Tens of millions of travelers take to the roads during the winter months each year," said Liz Allison, AutoVantage spokesperson. "Unfortunately, our weather and roads aren't always in their best conditions at this time."
"The hustle and bustle of the New Year should not follow you into the driver's seat," said Brad Eggleston, vice president of AutoVantage.
"Especially during winter, try to minimize distractions on the road so you can be focused on the dangers on the road that come with the cold."
Be prepared for the worst of the winter season by winterizing your car and refining your driving habits. Here are some tips from the experts at AutoVantage to help prepare you:
-- Get your car serviced. Being outside in freezing weather can be just as
hard on your car as it is on you. Have your car serviced, paying close
attention to your cooling system, battery, windshield wipers and wiper
fluid. Be sure your antifreeze is the proper mix for the weather you
face. Two common mixes are 70/30 and 50/50 (percent antifreeze to
water). Mixing water with your antifreeze, while it may seem counter-
productive, is important because antifreeze alone has a lower freezing
point than antifreeze mixed with water. Most service stations will
check your levels for you, but if you do it yourself, there are gauges
at most auto parts stores that will test your car's current mix. Your
battery may also lose power as the temperature drops. Don't get
stranded in the cold this winter: Have your battery checked and
replaced if it is performing below standard. If you purchase a new
battery, consider buying one rated 600 CCA ("cold cranking amps") or
above. And to keep your windshield free from slush and snow while you
drive, be sure your windshield wipers are in good shape and you have
plenty of washer fluid to clear your view. You can even purchase
hardier windshield wipers that can clear your windshield of heavier ice
than normal wipers. AutoVantage members can save money using their
card if they have their car serviced or winterized.
-- Test your lights, heater and defroster. Especially in winter weather,
it's important other drivers can see you from a distance so they can
make proper reactions, and vice versa. Check all your outside lights,
including fog lights, brake lights and turn signals, to make sure they
are in proper working order. Ensure your heater and front and rear
defrosters are also working. Not only will this make for a more
comfortable ride for you, but it also keeps your windows from becoming
foggy or frosted.
-- Carry the essentials. Front and all-wheel drive vehicles are ideal in
snow and icy weather. If you drive a rear-wheel drive vehicle or truck
and live in an area inclined to winter weather, you may consider
putting additional weight (sand bags) over your rear axle in your trunk
or truck bed. Furthermore, be prepared and carry a winter essentials
kit in your car with you at all times. This kit may include: a
flashlight with extra batteries, compass, blanket, reflective
triangles, tire chains, a bag of sand for traction, additional exterior
windshield cleaner, an ice scraper and some non-perishable foods and
water in case you are stranded. This is in addition to the yearlong
essentials such as a properly-inflated spare tire, car jack and jumper
cables.
-- Winterize your tires. Your vehicle's traction is greatly diminished
when driving in the snow. If you live in an area that gets a lot of
snow, consider purchasing a set of snow tires or tire chains for the
winter months. Snow tires should be removed in warmer months and
replaced with normal road tires. If you are unfamiliar with mounting
snow chains on your tires, be sure to practice at home before you
attempt to do it stranded in the snow.
-- Scrape your car free of frost, snow and ice. Inclement weather leads to
impaired vision for drivers. You should always scrape your windshield
and lights (front and rear) to clear all frost and snow before driving.
Use your scraper to sweep any excess snow from your hood, roof and
trunk, which is required by law in many states. This prevents potential
impairment of vision when the snow shifts while you are driving.
-- Slow everything down. Allow extra time to get where you're going and
slow down. In the ice and snow, you should take turns more slowly,
brake more gradually and allow plenty of extra space between you and
the driver in front of you. Remember that posted speeds are for ideal
driving conditions. And even if you are a seasoned veteran in snow and
ice, there is no guarantee about the drivers around you. Slow down and
get to your destination safely.
-- Drive wisely in ice and snow. Always drive with your low beams in fog,
sleet or snow, and never use the cruise control. If you lose traction,
know the proper steps to regain control of your vehicle:
- Gradually slow down. Don't slam on the breaks.
- If your rear wheels skid, steer in the direction you want the front
wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If
they're sliding right, steer right. Once you begin to slow, if you
have anti-lock brakes, apply steady pressure.
- If your front wheels skid, take your foot off the gas and shift to
neutral, but do not try to steer immediately. Traction will return as
your car slows. You can then steer your car in the direction you want
to go. Return the car to drive and accelerate gently.
-- Know the road rules in case of power outages. Loss of power is common
in severe winter weather. If traffic lights are not working, treat each
intersection as an all-way stop. Come to a full stop and check for
other cars or pedestrians. If there is other traffic, use common
courtesy, and the driver who arrived first should go first. If there is
doubt, always yield to the driver to the right.
To enroll in Affinion's AutoVantage services, log on to www.autovantage.com or call 1-800-876-7787.
Liz Allison, a spokesperson for AutoVantage, is a NASCAR TV personality, radio host and best-selling author. She has served as a racing analyst for TNT, CNNSI, TNN, CNN, ESPN and ESPN2. Allison has appeared on NBC's "Today Show," CNN, Fox and Friends, ESPN, MSNBC, Fox News Weekend Live and the Speed Channel. She is host of the No. 1 NASCAR radio show in Nashville, called "The Drivers Zone," on WGFX-FM. Allison is also host and track announcer for the Nashville Superspeedway. She is the best-selling author of "The Girl's Guide to NASCAR" -- and has written two sequels for Time Warner Books, the first of which was released Sept. 6. Allison has written three NASCAR Harlequin Romance novels, the first slated for November 2007 publication. She has penned articles for USA Today, NASCAR Scene, NASCAR Illustrated, NASCAR.com, MSN.com and FoxSports.com.
About AutoVantage
Members of AutoVantage (http://www.autovantage.com/ or 1-800-876-7787) can save from 5 to 20 percent on car care at some 19,000 service locations, including participating AAMCO, Jiffy Lube, Meineke and American Car Care Center locations. AutoVantage also offers 24-hour nationwide emergency towing, roadside assistance, and lockout protection from its network of more than 10,000 emergency roadside assistance providers. Trip routing for maps and door-to-door driving directions across the U.S. are also included. AutoVantage is offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance and loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans.
About Affinion Group
As a global leader with nearly 35 years of experience, Affinion Group (www.affinion.com) enhances the value of its partners' customer relationships by developing and marketing valuable loyalty, membership, checking account, insurance and other compelling products and services. Leveraging its expertise in product development and targeted marketing, Affinion helps generate significant incremental revenue for more than 5,200 affinity partners worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Norwalk, Conn., the company has approximately 3,000 employees throughout the United States and in 14 countries across Europe.
