Forgetting to winterize your car really can snowball into a mess, auto-repair experts say.
"Older customers stay up on it," says Mike Wege from MJ Automotive in Brookline. "Younger clients sometimes can get a little spoiled by coolants that last a long time and things like that."
Tim Knoll from Knoll Automotive Service in Pleasant Hills agrees, but thinks the harshness of the past two winters is going to steer more drivers into winterization procedures.
As temperatures dropped during the past few days and the winter solstice creeps closer, they and the American Automobile Association started advising drivers not to overlook getting their vehicles ready.
"Properly preparing your vehicle for cold temperatures is essential for safe driving, and will greatly decrease the chances of your vehicle leaving you stranded," says Steve Popovich, managing director of Automotive Services for AAA East Central in East Liberty.
The obvious areas of concern that need to be addressed are proper antifreeze levels, care of belts and hoses and need for efficient tires.
But Knoll and Wege also point out sometimes forgotten maintenance areas.
Knoll says the combination of acid rain and sunshine can cause headlight covers to lose clarity, drastically cutting vision. Besides making sure the lights are working and bright enough, he recommends having the covers cleaned.
Wege says many drivers have become so reliant on the remote-door openers, they don't make sure theirs locks are lubricated. Being able to open a door the traditional way is important, he says.
"Many cars only have one keyhole -- at the driver's door," he says. "If your locks are not lubricated and your battery dies, you are locked out of your car."
Knoll, Wege and the AAA say these items are the keys to safe and dependable winter driving.
. Antifreeze, obviously, is vital, but the 50-50 blend of coolant and water sometimes is forgotten. That mixture will provide the proper capability.
. Be sure to check hoses and clamps. Automotive fluids work only if they stay in the system.Buy cheap abercrombie & fitch mens beach shorts sale
. The coolant system never loses its antifreeze capability, but the additives that lubricate the water pump and protect the engine from rust can become depleted. Flushing and adding new coolant protects that.
. Check the battery to determine its strength and make sure it is not too weak to start a car.Cheap A&F Women Long Sleeve T shirt Sale If the battery has removable caps, check to see whether it is filled with the proper amount of distilled water.Wholesale Cheapest A&F Men Leisure Pants Online Also, make sure the connections are tight.
. Check the tightness of the alternator belt. The battery gets the engine going, but the rotation of the alternator belt provides electrical power after that. It also charges the battery. Looseness can weaken the battery.
. Make sure the windshield cleaner is full with a non-freezing fluid. Also, check the operation of the pump and the aim of the sprayers.
. Wiper blades should clear the glass with one swipe. It there are streaks or missed spots, it is time to replace them. Winter blades are wrapped in a rubber boot that prevents ice and snow build-up and they maintain contact between the glass and the blade.
. Traction is an obvious necessity on slippery streets. Make sure the tires have at least 3/32-of-an-inch of tread. Also make sure air pressure is maintained. Tires can lose one pound per square inch for every 10 degrees the temperature drops.
. If you have noticed any uneven gripping in the brake system in warmer weather, get it corrected. It will be only more critical on cooler days.
. Also, make sure to flush brake fluid. The fluid absorbs water that collects at low points in the hydraulic system and causes rust, fluid leaks and, if not prevented, brake failure.A&F Men's Long Sleeve T-shirt Sale Online On vehicles with antilock brakes, moisture in the brake fluid can damage expensive electro-hydraulic control units. For this reason, most manufacturers recommend the brake system be flushed and new fluid installed every two to three years.
"Older customers stay up on it," says Mike Wege from MJ Automotive in Brookline. "Younger clients sometimes can get a little spoiled by coolants that last a long time and things like that."
Tim Knoll from Knoll Automotive Service in Pleasant Hills agrees, but thinks the harshness of the past two winters is going to steer more drivers into winterization procedures.
As temperatures dropped during the past few days and the winter solstice creeps closer, they and the American Automobile Association started advising drivers not to overlook getting their vehicles ready.
"Properly preparing your vehicle for cold temperatures is essential for safe driving, and will greatly decrease the chances of your vehicle leaving you stranded," says Steve Popovich, managing director of Automotive Services for AAA East Central in East Liberty.
The obvious areas of concern that need to be addressed are proper antifreeze levels, care of belts and hoses and need for efficient tires.
But Knoll and Wege also point out sometimes forgotten maintenance areas.
Knoll says the combination of acid rain and sunshine can cause headlight covers to lose clarity, drastically cutting vision. Besides making sure the lights are working and bright enough, he recommends having the covers cleaned.
Wege says many drivers have become so reliant on the remote-door openers, they don't make sure theirs locks are lubricated. Being able to open a door the traditional way is important, he says.
"Many cars only have one keyhole -- at the driver's door," he says. "If your locks are not lubricated and your battery dies, you are locked out of your car."
Knoll, Wege and the AAA say these items are the keys to safe and dependable winter driving.
. Antifreeze, obviously, is vital, but the 50-50 blend of coolant and water sometimes is forgotten. That mixture will provide the proper capability.
. Be sure to check hoses and clamps. Automotive fluids work only if they stay in the system.Buy cheap abercrombie & fitch mens beach shorts sale
. The coolant system never loses its antifreeze capability, but the additives that lubricate the water pump and protect the engine from rust can become depleted. Flushing and adding new coolant protects that.
. Check the battery to determine its strength and make sure it is not too weak to start a car.Cheap A&F Women Long Sleeve T shirt Sale If the battery has removable caps, check to see whether it is filled with the proper amount of distilled water.Wholesale Cheapest A&F Men Leisure Pants Online Also, make sure the connections are tight.
. Check the tightness of the alternator belt. The battery gets the engine going, but the rotation of the alternator belt provides electrical power after that. It also charges the battery. Looseness can weaken the battery.
. Make sure the windshield cleaner is full with a non-freezing fluid. Also, check the operation of the pump and the aim of the sprayers.
. Wiper blades should clear the glass with one swipe. It there are streaks or missed spots, it is time to replace them. Winter blades are wrapped in a rubber boot that prevents ice and snow build-up and they maintain contact between the glass and the blade.
. Traction is an obvious necessity on slippery streets. Make sure the tires have at least 3/32-of-an-inch of tread. Also make sure air pressure is maintained. Tires can lose one pound per square inch for every 10 degrees the temperature drops.
. If you have noticed any uneven gripping in the brake system in warmer weather, get it corrected. It will be only more critical on cooler days.
. Also, make sure to flush brake fluid. The fluid absorbs water that collects at low points in the hydraulic system and causes rust, fluid leaks and, if not prevented, brake failure.A&F Men's Long Sleeve T-shirt Sale Online On vehicles with antilock brakes, moisture in the brake fluid can damage expensive electro-hydraulic control units. For this reason, most manufacturers recommend the brake system be flushed and new fluid installed every two to three years.
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