The Citizen, 2011-10-27, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011.
MS –Automobiles can be very
resilient. Drivers typically don’t
treat their cars with kid gloves, but
most cars keep chugging along in
spite of it.
Of course, drivers who treat their
cars well can expect to get as much
in return from their vehicles. That’s
especially true when winter
weather arrives, which is the
harshest season vehicles must
endure every year. Harsh weather
coupled with less-than-ideal
roadways typically take their toll on
a vehicle as the season progresses,
and it’s up to drivers to help their
cars withstand the elements of
winter and make it to spring in
driveable condition. Short of
moving to a locale that’s warm and
sunny 12 months a year, there’s little
drivers can do to avoid winter
weather; however, there are several
ways drivers can prepare their
vehicles for the months ahead.
• Address your antifreeze:Much
like a winter coat protects people
from winter weather, antifreeze
protects vehicles when the weather
outside is frightful.
Not every antifreeze is created
equal and inadequate antifreeze can
cause water pump failure and even a
cracked engine block. Drivers often
fail to monitor their antifreeze levels
throughout the winter, which can
hurt their cars and might even be
harmful to the environment.
Traditional ethylene glycol
antifreezes have a sweet smell and
taste that attracts animals and, if
ingested, can harm local wildlife or
even household pets.
• Check the vehicle’s charging
system: Car batteries are forced to
work harder in cold weather, making
it easier for a battery to die when the
mercury drops. To avoid being
stranded in the cold, ask your
mechanic to check the vehicle’s
charging system before the
onset of winter to ensure the battery
is ready for the cold months
ahead.
• Don’t tread lightly: Tire treads
are especially important during the
colder months, when icy or snow-
packed roads make driving a
dangerous undertaking. Tires with
adequate traction are better
equipped to handle roads that might
be covered in ice, dirt or grime from
sand and salt trucks. Check tire
pressure regularly, especially when
the temperatures are colder, and
always inflate tires to the
manufacturer-recommended PSI.
PSI ratings can often be found on
the driver's side door.
• Monitor motor oil: An engine
is only as good as the motor oil that
keeps it lubricated. Poor lubrication
results in friction between engine
components, ultimately leading to
wear and potentially taking years off
engine life.
Drivers should regularly monitor
their motor oil levels and adhere to
the manufacturer’s guidelines.
When choosing a lubricant, look for
a synthetic motor oil to maintain
engine protection and performance.
Synthetic motor oils provide
significant benefits over their
conventional counterparts,
particularly in colder weather when
conventional motor oil thickens as
the temperature drops.
When the mercury starts to sink,
conventional motor oils can slow
starting RPM, restrict oil flow to
critical engine parts and increase
wear on bearings and rings.
Conversely, synthetic motor oils
still flow or pump at temperatures
as much as -50 ºC, allowing cars
and trucks to start with greater
ease.
• Maintain visibility: Visibility is
especially poor during the winter
months when falling snow and dirt
and grime are kicked up from the
rear tires of other vehicles,
making it difficult to see. To
maintain adequate visibility
throughout the winter, inspect wiper
blades to make sure they are in peak
condition.
Be sure the blade fully clears the
windshield of snow, rain and any
other debris that might find its way
into your driving line of vision.
Never leave the house without
enough windshield washer fluid in
the reservoir, and keep an extra
bottle of fluid in the trunk just to be
safe. Winter driving conditions are
rarely, if ever, ideal.
Prepare your vehicle for
a harsh Huron winter
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40486 B-Line Road
WINGHAM
Ph: 357-1997
Fax: 357-9978
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Snow Tires - Mufflers - Brakes
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86924 Brussels Line RR #1, Bluevale
519-450-8315
...on the Road