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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2013-10-31, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013.Continued from page 15possible, avoid driving in the snow,and steer clear of roads where ice and black ice are known to form. While such measures can greatly reduce your risk of being in an accident, you likely can’t avoid driving entirely come the winter. Drivers who want improved traction from their tires throughout the winter can purchase winter tires for their vehicles. Such tires can more effectively handle roads that are covered in snow and ice than all- season tires. Another way to improve traction during the winter months is to constantly monitor tire pressure, which decreases more rapidly when the weather is cold. Properly inflated tires provide better traction and protect against damage that may occur when driving over potholes. • Consider a low-viscosity oil inthe winter. The owner’s manual ofyour vehicle may recommend you use a lower viscosity motor oil to counter the dip in temperature that’s synonymous with winter. When the temperatures outside fall, the oil inside your vehicle thickens, and a thicker oil won’t circulate through the engine as well. This can cause engine problems because the engine won’t be adequately lubricated. A low-viscosity oil is naturally thinner, so it may improve lubrication throughout the winter. The vehicle owner’s manual should recommend oils based on climate. If not, talk to your mechanic about changing from the oil you use throughout the year to a low-viscosity alternative during the winter. • Inspect your vehicle before winter arrives. No one wants to be out on the road during the first snowstorm of the year only to discover certain components are not working properly. Belts and hoses, while durable, can be put through strenuous conditions during the winter months, so a close inspection of belts and hoses should beconducted in late fall. In addition,windshield wipers are especially important in winter, when snowfall can drastically impact visibility. You will want your wipers working at full capacity once the winter begins, so replace older wipers (shelf life for standard wipers is typically one year) and use a de-icing windshield washer fluid to maximize visibility. Another component that must be inspected is your car’s battery. Many drivers have experienced a dead battery, which, in warm weather, is more of a nuisance than a health concern. In cold weather, a dead battery can threaten your health if you find yourself stranded in cold weather. Especially low temperatures can compromise a battery’s power by as much as 50 per cent, so have your battery inspected in late fall and replace it if need be. • Don’t be caught off guard. Part of winterizing a vehicle is being prepared if the vehicle breaks down. Make sure you have extra washer fluid in your vehicle’s trunk, and don’t forget to include an ice scraper, snow brush or even a snowshovel in the trunk as well. A snowshovel may be necessary if you need to dig your car out if it’s been buried somewhere other than your driveway. Other items to carry in your trunk include a blanket, a change of clothes, an extra hat, an extra pair of gloves, some non-perishable food and a few bottles ofwater. Winter can be especially harsh on automobiles. But drivers can take several preventive steps to ensure their vehicle is safe and sound on the roads this winter. Continued from page 18 But when you fill up can impact your car’s life expectancy. Perhaps the worst time to fill your tank is when the fuel tanker is in the gas station refilling the underground tanks. That’s because the process of filling the underground tanks can stir up sediment that had settled at the bottom of those tanks. If that sediment finds its way into your vehicle’s gas tank, it can clog filters and fuel injectors and negatively affect the vehicle’s performance. So unless your car is running on empty, avoid refilling its gas tank when the tanker is still in the station. • Take care of your vehicle’s interior, too.Caring for a car is not just about being good to what’s under the hood. Caring for the car’s interior will not necessarily impact its performance, but a well-kept interior will improve how you look at your vehicle and how much you enjoy driving it. The longer you enjoy driving your vehicle, the longer you are likely to keep it. Preserve the vehicle’s door and window seals; clean the dashboard, including the gauges, vacuum the floor mats; and wipe down the vehicle’s interior, whether it’s cloth or leather. Keeping up the appearance of the car’s interior will make the vehicle more enjoyable to drive and increase its value at resale. Winter is coming, inspect your vehicle first Interior care, just as crucial as exterior 14 Orchard Lane, Brussels * We pay your deductible up to $500. on comprehensive insurance claims over $2,000. * Spray-in bedliners $399. * Until January 1, 2014 Deer Damage? Cody Anderson, licensed Mechanic • Car/Truck Sales • Keystone aftermarket accessories & performance parts dealer • 24 hour towing • Auto wrecking • Automotive Repair • Motor Vehicle Inspection Station Your 1-Stop Automotive Shop 41805 Winthrop Road, RR #1, Londesborough ANDERSON SALVAGE 519-527-0078 and Detailing 519-523-9725 &CUSTOMIZING 519-523-9726 email: countryside@tcc.on.ca 82589 London Rd. 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