Winterizing Your Vehicle
Let’s paint a picture. You wake up one cold
January morning to begin the usual routine to get ready for work. You get
out of bed, get dressed, make that warm cup of coffee or tea, you grab your
keys and head at the door to your trusty vehicle. On the way you’re
reviewing your presentation, the one that you’ll deliver later to the “Big
Boys.” You look great, you’re presentation is flawless, you’re ready for
anything right? Well maybe not.
Did you
remember to service you vehicle so that it would be ready for the harsh
winter? Did you change the oil and wiper blades? How about the battery,
did you check that along with the tire pressure, brakes and antifreeze?
Sure your vehicle may be mechanically safe but did you remember to purchase
or prepare an emergency kit in case of winter emergencies?
Wintertime can be very ruthless to your vehicle. It will perform more
sluggish than usual thanks to cold temperatures. Traction is affected by
ice and snow. Salt causes nasty rust and that gravel they lay down for
traction ... well that chips your paint. Makes you want to stay in every
time the weather gets bad doesn’t it?
After the first cold snap of the season or
winter storm, tow trucks are hard to come by because of the increase of
drivers’ vehicles that are affected. Here are some important guidelines you
should follow to prevent this from happening to you. Winterizing you
vehicle doesn’t take much time and money compared to the headaches and bills
you’ll be dealing with if you’re one of the many unfortunate drivers whose
vehicle was not correctly winterized.
1.
Service the vehicle per manufacturing
recommendations
2.
Check antifreeze level
3.
Inspect and change wipers and wiper fluid
4.
Change the engine oil
5.
Check all tire pressure
6.
Check the battery
7.
Check condition of the 4WD
8.
Check exhaust system
9.
Fuel
10.
Purchase or prepare an emergency kit
11. Heater and defroster
1.)
Service your vehicle per manufacturing
recommendations. It is important to keep your vehicle serviced, no matter
the season. Make sure 30K, 60K, 90K, etc. service is correctly done. Don’t
skip one and don’t let one go incomplete. This is a very important point to
maintain your vehicle. Making sure the entire service was completed will
prolong the life of your vehicle.
2.)
Check antifreeze level. The cooling system
in your vehicle should be entirely flushed out and refilled about every 24
months. The fluid level, concentration, and condition should be checked
periodically. If you are not sure what the level, concentration, and
condition should be, have a qualified mechanic check it for you.
The ratio of antifreeze to water should be a
50-50 mixture. Testers can be purchased at most stores. A difference in
this ratio can cause a radiator to freeze thus causing your vehicle to
overheat. Frozen coolant can crack or damage your water pump, pop a freeze
plug on your engine block or, worse yet, crack the engine block. Any
or these problems will disable your vehicle and lead to very expensive
repairs.
3.)
Inspect and change wipers and wiper fluid.
Visibility is most important in winter, making winter wiper blades a
necessity for icy driving. Precipitation, salt buildup on the windshield,
and reduced daylight combine to make for some of the worst visible
conditions of the year. Don’t be stuck with a streaking windshield in the
middle of an ice storm.
Also don’t forget to check your windshield
washer fluid. During a harsh winter, washer fluid is frequently used.
Running out of washer fluid is inconvenient and can be dangerous.
Be sure to have a snow brush and ice
scraper in your vehicle.
4.)
Change the engine oil. It is a good idea to
change your current oil to a lighter oil for the winter months, but don't
run a grade of oil thinner than that recommended by the manufacturer.
Heavier, dirty oil not only wears your engine but adds a load on starter
that can drain your battery before the engine starts.
5.)
Check tire pressure. Keeping your vehicle’s
tires properly inflated during winter is especially important. Applying the
right pressure to your tires will help ensure proper traction and help
protect your tires from damage. Potholes can be very detrimental to your
tires and wheels. Check tires for remaining tread life. Also check for
uneven wearing, and for cuts and nicks in the sidewalls. Don't wait until
you slide off an icy road to decide to replace those worn tires!
Accidents and tow trucks can be much more costly than trying to squeeze a
few more miles out of bad tires.
Don’t forget about your spare tire!
Make sure it is inflated to the proper air pressure. And make sure you
have a tire iron (to remove wheel lug nuts) and jack and make sure you know
how to change a flat tire.
6.)
Check the battery. Ever notice how your
battery loves to die at the most inconvenient of times? Very cold
temperatures can limit your battery’s performance up to 50 percent. Have
your battery tested by a professional to determine if it is weak or in bad
condition. Routine maintenance consists of scraping away corrosion from
posts and cable connections and re-tightening all connections. If your
battery is several years old and even hints of a starting problem as you
head into the cold winter months replace it just to be safe.
7.)
Check condition of the 4WD. Test your 4WD
in a safe and proper location. Make sure the system engages and disengages
smoothly. Listen for any unusual noises such as knocking or grinding coming
from the drive train.
8.)
Check exhaust system. Have your vehicle
placed on a lift and checked for leaks in the exhaust system. The trunk and
floor boards should also be checked for rust holes. Have any needed repair
taken care of before the onset of winter.
9.)
Fuel. Here’s an inexpensive and easy way to
protect your vehicle’s fuel system. Pour a bottle of fuel de-ice or dry-gas
in your vehicle’s gas tank, when filling it, once a month. This step will
help keep moisture from freezing in the fuel lines.
10.) Purchase or prepare an emergency kit.
You may not think much of this now but someday you may be thanking
yourself. Your kit should include, but not limited too: first aid kit,
flashlight, jumper cables, screwdrivers, adjustable wrench, pliers, duct and
electrical tape, tow rope, funnels and extra fluids (oil, windshield washer
fluid, etc.), flares, reflectors, shop towels, and candles with matches.
Also consider including a warm blanket, a bag of abrasive material such as
sand or non-clumping kitty litter, a collapsible shovel, ice scraper and
brush, extra clothes, gloves and hat, and non-perishable food and water for
extreme situations or if you travel in remote areas. In an emergency be
sure to contact help. Consider having a cell phone or CB radio.
11.) Heater and defroster. Check
your heater and make sure it blows hot air. Check your air conditioner
(if equipped) because it is used to rapidly defog your windshield
(cold air defogs better than warm air). Check your rear window
defogger in late fall or early winter to see that it defogs quickly.
Have any traces that don't work repaired.
Preparing your
vehicle for winter can help prevent emergencies and help reduce those pesky
inconveniences. Be sure that your vehicle is ready for winter by following
these guidelines. If you have any questions contact your local auto repair
shop. Enjoy the winter and safe driving!