Coveragejet

    By Robert Carper

COLD WEATHER CAR CARE 2015-16

Winter verses your car and how you can win and help prevent auto claims

The calendar still says it’s November, in the northern hemisphere many people are starting to see winter conditions. Freezing rain and snow covered roads It is a good idea for  motorists that cars need seasonal checkups to maintain safety and maximize operational efficiency. Regular maintenance and seasonal checkups can also help prevent unexpected repair costs in the future. Drivers should use a simple checklist to determine their vehicle’s fall and winter maintenance needs. . Not sticking to manufacturer-scheduled services and regular maintenance can be a costly and dangerous mistake for car owners. And those risks can run even higher in cold winter weather – when worn tires are that much more likely to skid, and a breakdown can mean getting stranded in freezing temperatures.

 Many of the items on the following list can be inspected by a car owner in less than an hour, but others should be performed by a certified technician.

 

1.The Battery. This is an ideal time of year to make sure your battery’s posts and connections are corrosion-free and that your battery has all the water it needs. If your battery is more than three years old, have a certified repair shop test its ability to hold a charge. Granted, you might be able to find a Good Samaritan to help you jump-start your vehicle in the middle of a blizzard — but wouldn’t you rather avoid such a scenario altogether?

2. Do you have four-wheel drive? If so, it’s important to check the status of your four-wheel-drive system and be sure it’s working correctly — especially because most drivers don’t use their 4WD systems in the pleasant summer months. Be sure that the system engages and disengages easily, and that all drivers in your household know how and when to activate the system.

3. Be Proactive about Antifreeze – In a recent Autobytel survey, only 27% of drivers said they regularly replace their antifreeze, and an alarming 35% admitted that they’ve never changed their vehicle’s coolant. Don’t make the same mistake. Your car's coolant/antifreeze breaks down over time, so be sure to change it (not just add it) before temperatures start to drop. Keep in mind that higher-level coolants don’t necessarily provide higher levels of protection. In fact, while higher-level coolants reduce the freezing point and raise the boiling point, they can actually cause engines to run slightly hotter, leading to oil breakdown and increased wear and tear. Refer to your owner’s manual for the proper coolant level for your vehicle.

4. Tire Safety – Sixty-percent of the drivers surveyed by Autobytel (mistakenly) said that a vehicle’s tire inflation specifications can be found on the tires themselves. But, in fact, the pressure indications stamped on the tires refer to the maximum pressure of the tire cold, not the proper driving pressure to ensure optimum handling, safety, and fuel economy. That information can be found either on the inside of the driver’s car door or doorframe, as well as the owner’s manual. Another thing to keep in mind is that tires need to be replaced every six years, even if there’s still plenty of tread. Over time, rubber steadily hardens, making tires less pliant and more slippery on roads.

5. Change Your Lights – Proactively replace your fog, brake, and tail lights before they burn out. It’s a relatively inexpensive job, and it can help you avoid a dangerous situation, particularly in poor-visibility conditions when a burned-out tail light can transform your car into a “motorcycle” in the eyes of upcoming drivers.

6. Washer Fluid – Water may suffice for your windshield fluid reservoir in summer, but use a detergent-based formula, which has a much lower freezing point, during the winter. The only thing worse than water getting frozen in the washer dispenser is having it freeze on your windshield.

7. Oil Tips – In this day and age of confusing SAE grades, synthetics and highly-engineered engines, the old rule of thumb about using a lighter weight oil in winter doesn’t necessarily apply. Refer to your owner’s manual for the weight/grade of oil you should be using seasonally. And always get your oil changed at a dealership. Generally speaking, dealerships are motivated to keep your car running well and know the proper oil for your vehicle. Oil-change retail chains, on the other hand, are motivated to lower costs by using bulk quantities of the same type of oil, whether or not it’s right for your vehicle.

8.The Wipers – Wiper blades deteriorate rapidly after one year. Get them changed, before you really need them.

9. Prepare an emergency kit. Store this stuff in your trunk during the winter months, especially if a road trip is in your future:

•         a blanket
•        extra boots and gloves
•        an extra set of warm clothes
•        extra water and food, including hard candies
•        an ice scraper
•        a small shovel
•        a flashlight
•        windshield washer fluid
•        windshield wipers
•        flares
•        jumper cables
•        a tool kit
•        tire chains
•        a tire gauge
•        a spare tire with air in it
•        tire-changing equipment
•        a first-aid kit
•        paper towels
•      a bag of abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter, which can provide additional traction if a tire gets stuck in snow.
•      Also, keep the gas tank as full as you can to prevent the gas lines from freezing.

9.Hit the Mats – Don’t forget to break out those winter floor mats to protect your car’s carpets from the water, snow, or mud on your shoes. If you don’t have them for your car, visit your dealership. Given how little mats cost – and how big a difference they can make in terms of your vehicle’s appearance and resale value – it’s well worth the investment.

10. Driving in Winter Conditions

I’ll get back to that particular driver, however, before I do, it is important to consider some useful tips for driving safely during this time of the year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and AAA have put together a number of suggestions for safe winter driving. Below are five those tips:

·  First and foremost, drive slower. When the roads are snow covered, and especially when they are icy, it is harder to control your car and you need more distance between you and any vehicle in front. Allow for more space between your car and the one in front of you than you normally do.

· Second, know what type of brakes you have on your car. It makes a difference. With antilock brakes you apply firm steady pressure when braking. If you don’t have antilock brakes, then you need to pump them when trying to stop.

·  Third, if you start into a skid, keep calm and take your foot off the gas and continue steering in the direction you want the car to go. Keep your foot off of the gas and the brakes until you are back in control of your car.

·  Fourth, don’t use your cruise control in icy conditions.

·  Fifth, Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways such as bridges.