HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-10-20, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016.
Tips to prevent winter from breaking the fuel budget
Saving gas in winter
The extra weight of winter tires, extra drag of cold weather and snow and slush acting as
barriers to acceleration means winter driving routinely uses more gas than summer driving.
By planning ahead, keeping calm and being smart about unnecessary gas usage, drivers can
mitigate how much of a spike winter will put in their fuel budget. (NC photo)
NC — With its cold winds, long
nights, and merciless snows, winter
can be an ordeal for both you and
your car. But beyond all the extra
windshield washer fluid and
maintenance your ride will need,
your fuel budget will likely see the
biggest bump. Gas use can spike by
over 25 per cent, adding more to an
already -too -large chunk of your
budget.
This is because the cold winter air
puts more aerodynamic drag on your
vehicle and your engine has to work
harder to plow through all that snow
and slush. But you can fight back
with a few surprisingly simple
tricks:
• Chill out and go easy:
Aggressive driving uses much more
gas than you'd expect. Speeding up
Wipers more imporant in winter
Continued from page 17
door seals as added protection.
Speak with an automotive retailer or
even the car dealership if you are
unsure which products will make
your car's parts most durable for
winter weather.
Do not stop washing your car just
because the weather is cold. Slushy,
wet roads and snow -melting salts
can speed up the formation of rust or
other decay on the undercarriage of
the vehicle. These materials will
need to be periodically cleaned off.
Flush the underside of the
vehicle whenever possible, taking
advantage of any dry, slightly
warmer days.
D Carter's
West End
Garage
& Body
3 Shop
215 Huron St.,
Clinton
9,, 519-482-9363
or if busy
519-482-3534
• Tire pressure: According to the
American automotive retailer Pep
Boys, vehicle tires lose air pressure
as temperatures drop.
Many modern cars will alert to
changes in air pressure, and drivers
should be diligent in maintaining the
proper tire pressure. Fuel economy
as well as handling ability can
decline when tires are not
inflated properly. Tires can be
refilled at many gas stations
for little cost.
• Wipers: Visibility is key in
hazardous weather conditions, and
keeping the windshield clean is a
priority. This means ensuring there
is enough windshield wiper fluid in
the car and that it is a product that
will not freeze.
Wiper blades can freeze and crack
in the winter. Older blades may be
more susceptible to damage. It's a
worthy investment to replace
existing wiper blades at the start of
each winter. When vehicles are
parked, pull the wipers off of the
windshield to safeguard them from
sticking and cracking.
Cold weather requires drivers to
amp up their vehicle maintenance
routines. Consult with a mechanic or
automotive retailer for more ideas
and products that can help your
vehicles operate safely and
efficiently this winter.
Winter is
on its way.
Prepare your
vehicle now with
Corrosion Free
Rust Prevention
18 Months of
Prevention
Clean, clear and drip free undercoating.
two r
FRSE
Underbody Rust Cure
Essential Rust Cure $99.99
Complete Rust Cure $139.99
Trucks $10 Extra
$59.99
Call your local Canadian Tire in Goderich to book an appointment
TODAY. Because the best time to undercoat your car is before you
need a coat.
Canadian Tire... Canada's Garage.
CANADIAN TIRE
Hwy. 8, Goderich Auto Service
Store: 519-524-2121 Hours:
M -F 8 am - 5 pm
Service: 519-524-2124 Sat. 8 am - 4 pm
and slowing down suddenly makes
your engine work harder than it
should, so take it smooth and steady
behind the wheel to see some
savings.
• Plan ahead: Beyond driving
more gently in general, you can cut
down on gas use with some simple
planning. By keeping a careful eye
on traffic ahead and keeping your
speed down, you can save yourself
the painful start -stopping that drives
up your gas use, and still arrive on
time. Working to curb those bad
habits can save you time at the pump
and aggravation on the road. And
whenever possible, plan your route
ahead of time using radio traffic
alerts or a smartphone app that helps
you avoid any gas -guzzling jams.
CARQUESTRADAR
AUTO PARTS
AUTO PARTS
"You will find it at CARQUEST"
235 Turnberry St.,
BRUSSELS 519-887-9661
Also at:
3878 Wellington St.,
MITCHELL 519-348-8485
and
20 King St.,
CLINTON 519-482-3445
manj[u1 Ow
2009
VW Tiguan
124,500 kms
$9,999.
.0-7
-ct
1
,7„ 905 - „-I
10
j.
2007
Ford Edge AWD
189,900 km
$8,999.
2010:
Jeep Compass 4x4
134,400 km
$9,999.
4
';°
2012 GMC Terrain - 189,200 KM $11,500
2012 Chevy Colorado 4x4 - 173,900 km $12,999
2010 Dodge Journey AWD - 84,500 km $10,400
2008 Pontiac Montana - 149,600 km $5,299
facebook.com/manjinmotors • manjinmotorscom
41401 Amberley Rd., Bluevale 519-357-9555
Neil's Repair
Service
General repairs to
all makes of cars, trucks,
farm equipment and ATVs
• Tune-ups • Tires
• Exhaust • Air Conditioning
• Transmissions • Brakes
• Licensed MTO Motor
Vehicle Inspection Station
® Ontario
MOTOR VEHICLE
INSPECTION STATION
Neil Warwick, Owner
519-357-9508
183 Clyde Street, Bluevale