Winter car care: 'tis the season to prepare your car for cold weather - Brief Article

Ebony, Nov, 1997

'Tis the season to prepare your car for cold weather

WHILE you're busy decking the halls, donning gay apparel and singing yuletide carols, remember to take some time to create an automotive checklist to ensure that you and your family celebrate a safe holiday despite harsh weather and hazardous road conditions.

* TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR'S HEART

As the mercury drops, so does your car's battery power. During the winter, a reliable battery is a necessity. Have a qualified technician perform a load test, which determines if your battery is strong enough to start in cold weather.

Don't forget to inspect the battery for cracks and defects. Tighten any loose clamps and cable connections, and replace anything damaged. Avoid acid and gunk build-up by scrubbing the battery terminals with a toothbrush and a pasty mixture of baking soda and water. And always wear safety goggles when working with a battery.

* KEEP PLENTY OF FLUIDS IN YOUR CAR

Like people, ears can suffer from dehydration. Maintain the health of your auto by checking and replacing crucial operating fluids.

Engine--Check the oil level and change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles or every three months, whichever comes first. Also replace e the air filter every 7,500 miles. Inspect the fuel filter for leaks and clogs and have the ignition system checked. Get a tune-up if necessary.

Gas Tank--Keep it as full as possible to prevent the gas line from freezing.

Radiator--If the fluid level is low, fill the radiator with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water, and test to make sure the fluid can withstand extremely cold temperatures (minus-30 degrees Fahrenheit). Flush the cooling system every other year.

Transmission--Add fluid and change the filter if necessary.

Brakes--Check the fluid levels and pay attention to brake performance. If your brakes squeal, if your vehicle pulls to one side when you press the pedal, or if the pedal feels soft when pumped, have your brakes inspected.

Windshield Wipers--Add no-freeze wiper fluid to the reservoir and replace worn or old wiper blades.

* DON'T NEGLECT YOUR CAR'S BODY

Road salt and slush can prove lethal to your car's finish. Wash and wax your auto as much as possible to prevent rust and paint damage, and remember to periodically wash underneath your car to remove trapped dirt and salt.

* KEEP YOUR CAR LUBRICATED

Lubricate door and trunk locks with a special lock lubricant to keep them from freezing. If you're in a pinch, carefully heat the end of a key with a match or lighter, or squirt some de-icer spray into the lock. Never, under any circumstances, pour hot water on a frozen lock.

* DON'T TREAD ON THIN ICE

Make sure your car is equipped with good all-season tires and check them for tread wear. Keep tires inflated at the air pressure recommended by the manufacturer and rotate tires at specified intervals.

* TIGHTEN THOSE BELTS AND HOSES

Check to see that drive belts are tight, but not cracked glazed or flayed. Check all hoses for leaks, bulges or cracks and secure any loose clamps.

* KEEP ALL LIGHTS BRIGHT

Make sure all lights and signals work properly and replace burned-out bulbs. In snowy weather, don't forget to clean all snow and ice from headlights, tail lights and turn signals.

* EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Join a motor club. Even the most prepared drivers can encounter a road emergency, especially in bad weather: A motor club can be a lifesaver if you're stranded in your car. If you already belong to a club, make sure your membership is current.

Invest in a cellular phone. If you're traveling alone or with children, a cellular phone is an invaluable asset in case of trouble' allowing you to safely wait in your car while you call for assistance. But a phone is only as good as its batteries, so always keep it charged. Many companies offer special low-cost packages for emergency phone usage, so shop around for a good deal.

Store an emergency kit in your hunk. Include a first-aid kit with bandages, cotton, antiseptic, scissors and prescription medications. Also have an auto-aid kit with a flashlight and fresh batteries, flares, a basic auto tool kit, a lug wrench, a flat fixer and portable tire pump, a jack, jumper cables, a bag of sand, salt or cat litter for tire traction, a shovel, an ice-scraper and snowbrush, antifreeze and washer fluid, clean rags, a blanket and warm gloves.

And always keep snacks and bottled water available in case you have to wait a long time for help to arrive.