Wayne's Garage - Eugene and Springfield Oregon

COLD and WET WEATHER DRIVING  

Prepare Your Car for Winter Now, Before Rain and Colder Weather Sets In, AAA Advises; Weak Battery, Worn Tires and Dirty Oil is Classic Formula for Winter Breakdowns.

Consumers who don’t perform periodic visual inspections of their vehicle’s vital components are risking a costly breakdown, according to AAA. "More than five million breakdowns nationally could be avoided each year if motorists performed a simple and quick inspection of their tires, belts and hoses alone," said John Nielsen, director of AAA’s Automotive Repair Network.

Among the key items to check are:

Battery - Icy-cold temperatures can reduce a vehicle’s battery power by up to fifty percent. If the battery is barely turning the engine over now, it is highly likely to fail during winter. If your vehicle battery is older than three years, have it tested. Also, make sure the posts and connections are free of corrosion.

Oil - Dirty oil makes it harder for the engine to turn over,
especially in cold weather, resulting in premature engine wear.
Check your owner’s manual for recommended oil change frequency and the appropriate grade of oil for winter temperatures in your area. At the same time, check air filters and replace dirty filters.

Tires are frequently the most neglected vehicle component but are among the most important. AAA estimates one in two tires on the road today is either worn or under-inflated. Check tire pressure at least twice monthly, and inspect your tires’ condition before winter sets in. Worn tires will not provide sufficient traction—especially in wet weather. Uneven wear can indicate alignment, suspension or wheel balance problems. AAA reports that for every ten-degree drop in temperature, tires lose about one pound of pressure.

Belts and Hoses - Modern materials have made belts and hoses very durable with relatively long lives. Fortunately, neither belts nor hoses suddenly fail—they deteriorate slowly over time. Check these two critical items regularly in combination with oil changes.

Wipers - Visibility is particularly key in winter, as it is often compromised by moisture and road grime on the windshield and of course reduced daylight. The life expectancy of a wiper blade is one year. If your wiper blades are older, replace them. Also check and fill your wiper fluid reservoir. Use an all season fluid, if that stuff freezes in your reservoir, it usually takes out the pump or container.

Antifreeze - Some vehicles come with antifreeze designed to last four or five years, but most is good for only two years. Dirty or old coolant will eventually cause cooling system failures. Have the cooling system inspected annually.

--Emergency Kit—AAA recommends carrying the following safety items, depending on conditions:

--Flashlight, flares, first aid Kit

-- jumper cables, tool kit, chains

-- blanket, warm clothes, gloves

-- paper towels

-- bag of abrasive material, (sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter for traction)

-- snow brush, ice scraper, snow shovel

-- washer fluid

-- extra food, water

Tips for driving on Snow and Ice