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NOW IS THE TIME TO WINTERIZE YOUR CAR
American Pride Automotive • October 25, 2015
Now that we are finally enjoying some gorgeous fall weather, it’s time to start changing gears in all areas to get ready for a very cold winter. Because of El Niño, meteorologists are predicting below-normal temperatures in Hampton Roads and on the Virginia peninsula. This means that we could be in for more property damage and safety risks from snow and ice than in previous years. While you clean your gutters, weatherstrip windows and doors, and turn off exterior water spigots, consider these tips for winterizing your vehicle.
1. Construct an Emergency Kit.
As we all know, icy and snowy conditions can stop traffic on interstate 64 and 664. It’s important to be prepared if you get stranded on the road due to traffic or vehicle failure. A good winter emergency kit should include:
- Extra coolant/antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid
- Distilled water to mix with coolant if necessary
- Emergency flashers
- Drinking water
- Non-perishable foods like protein bars and dried fruit
- Spare tire
- Blankets
- Hand warmers
- Flashlight
- Basic toolkit
- Vehicle fire extinguisher
- Extra clothing
- Kitty litter! It works like a dream for adding traction when stuck in snow or ice.
2. Check the coolant
The cooling system is your engine’s best defense against locking up due to freezing temperatures. Make sure the anti-freeze in the coolant reservoir is at or slightly below “max” level. Anything less could be a sign of a cooling system leak. If you do check the levels yourself, remember to only do so first thing in the morning when the engine is cold.
3. Check the tires
We’ve talked about it again and again. Do the penny test on your tires to make sure that the tread is adequate. This is especially important during the wintertime, as bare tires are a huge hazard in slippery conditions. You should also test the pressure weekly.
4. Have a professional check the belts and hoses
Especially if your vehicle is older, we recommend getting a winter tune-up and inspection to ensure that the various components under the hood are in good working condition. Cold weather can put added stress on these components.
5. Replace windshield wipers
Unless you’ve switched out wiper blades in the past year, it’s probably a good idea to do it now. Also, consider adding a de-icer to wiper fluid, as this can be a big help on those super-cold mornings.
6. Test the battery
Most car batteries fail during the winter because of freezing temperatures. Get your battery levels tested and make sure that all connections are free of debris. As a safeguard,include jumper cables in your emergency kit.
Trust American Pride Automotive to get your car ready for winter. We offer overall tune-ups and vehicle inspections that can make the difference between a safe vehicle and a dangerous one on wintry roads. Contact the location closest to you (Williamsburg, Newport News, Toano) while the weather still cooperates!
We want to say thank you to all of our healthcare and first responders. Please accept this specialized offer.
You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.
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