Prepare Your Car for Winter Now, AAA Advises
30 October 1999
Weak Battery, Worn Tires and Dirty Oil is Classic Formula for Winter Breakdown
LAS VEGAS----As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, now is a good time for Nevada motorists to prepare their vehicles for winter weather, AAA advised today."Today's cars are better designed to withstand freezing temperatures than earlier models," said AAA spokesman Justin O'Brien. "But Nevada winters can still be hard on cars, trucks and SUVs, especially if you're headed up to the ski country. A few simple precautions now can help prevent an aggravating and possibly dangerous breakdown this season, and a little preparation can extend the life of your vehicle."
Consumers who don't perform periodic visual inspections of their vehicle's vital components are risking a costly breakdown, according to AAA. "More than five million breakdowns nationally could be avoided each year if motorists performed a simple and quick inspection of their tires, belts and hoses alone," said John Nielsen, director of AAA's Automotive Repair Network.
October is National Car Care Month, and AAA is urging motorists to make sure their vehicles are able to withstand the rigors of cold and wet weather.
Among the key items to check are:
-- Battery -- Icy-cold temperatures can reduce a vehicle's battery
power by up to fifty percent. If the battery is barely turning
the engine over now, it is highly likely to fail during winter.
If your vehicle battery is older than three years, have it tested
at a certified automotive repair facility. Also, make sure the
posts and connections are free of corrosion.
-- Oil -- Dirty oil makes it harder for the engine to turn over,
especially in cold weather, resulting in premature engine wear.
Check your owner's manual for recommended oil change frequency
and the appropriate grade of oil for winter temperatures in your
area. At the same time, check air filters and replace dirty
filters.
-- Tires -- Tires are frequently the most neglected vehicle
component but are among the most important. AAA estimates one in
two tires on the road today is either worn or under-inflated.
Check tire pressure at least twice monthly, and inspect your
tires' condition before winter sets in. Worn tires will not
provide sufficient traction -- especially in wet weather. Uneven
wear can indicate alignment, suspension or wheel balance
problems. AAA reports that for every ten-degree drop in
temperature, tires lose about one pound of pressure.
-- Belts and Hoses -- Modern materials have made belts and hoses
very durable with relatively long lives. Fortunately, neither
belts nor hoses suddenly fail -- they deteriorate slowly over
time. Check these two critical items regularly in combination
with oil changes.
-- Wipers -- Visibility is particularly key in winter, as it is
often compromised by precipitation, salt buildup on the
windshield and reduced daylight. The life expectancy of a wiper
blade is one year. If your car's blades are older, replace them.
Also check and fill your wiper fluid reservoir. A harsh winter
storm is the worst possible time to run out of wiper fluid or to
discover your blades aren't performing properly.
-- Antifreeze -- Many new vehicles come with antifreeze designed to
last four or five years, but the ordinary product found in most
auto supply stores is good for only two years. It's important to
know what type of antifreeze you have so you can avoid spending
money unnecessarily to replace it. Have the cooling system
inspected annually.
-- Emergency Kit -- AAA recommends carrying the following safety
items, depending on conditions:
-- flashlight, flares, first aid kit
-- jumper cables, tool kit, chains
-- blanket, warm clothes, gloves
-- paper towels
-- bag of abrasive material, (sand, salt or non-clumping kitty
litter for traction)
-- snow brush, ice scraper, snow shovel
-- washer fluid
-- extra food, water
.
