Cold Weather Tips for Smart Driving and Vehicle Maintenance

CHICAGO, Oct. 28 -- NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data for in-vehicle, portable, wireless and enterprise solutions, provides guidelines to help drivers reduce the frustration of winter driving. NAVTEQ Traffic.com provides drivers a way to monitor the huge increase in traffic incidents during the winter month. Here are some cold weather tips to help drivers plan and prepare for the upcoming winter season.

  --  Avoid rush hours, but stay on well-traveled roads. Don't try taking
      back roads or "short cuts" to avoid traffic. Fewer cars on back roads
      may mean those routes are the last to be plowed or maintained and are
      not likely to be heavily patrolled by emergency services.
  --  Pre-plan your route using resources like NAVTEQ Traffic.com to get the
      most up-to-date information traffic and road conditions. Log on to
      www.traffic.com before leaving home. Or, call 1-866-MY-TRAFC
      (1-866-698-7232), our toll-free hotline, to get traffic information.
  --  Travel with a companion whenever possible. There is safety in numbers,
      and a vigilant travel companion can help navigate slick roads, wintery
      weather and traffic challenges.

  --  Avoid getting lost on less traveled roads with a navigation system map
      update. Map updates are available at www.navteq.com/store. A map
      update delivers the up-to-date road network information navigation
      systems need to continue performing at their best. With current maps,
      navigation users can cut down on driving time, reduce fuel
      consumption, and help navigation systems and portable devices maintain
      optimum performance.

Vehicle maintenance is even more important in the winter, when frigid temperatures could turn a breakdown into a threatening situation. Care for parts of the car that are particularly susceptible to malfunction in cold weather, including:

  --  Cooling systems -- Be sure to have the right antifreeze mixture to
      keep the car's cooling system running smoothly.
  --  Belts and hoses -- Check to make sure belts and hoses are in good
      working order because cold temperatures can make these more prone to
      cracking and breaking.
  --  Tires -- Regularly check tire pressure as the cold can make the air in
      tires contract and cause a dangerous under-inflation.
  --  Battery -- Wintery temperatures can make a battery lose its charge, so
      be sure the battery is in good condition and fully charged.
  --  Wipers and washer fluid -- Be sure wipers work well and washer fluid
      flows freely so to easily remove snow, sand, salt and dirt spray from
      the windshield.

  --  Oil -- Consult a mechanic or the vehicle's manual to find out if the
      engine might benefit from thinner viscosity oil in cold weather.

  About NAVTEQ

NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data that enables navigation and location-based platforms around the world. NAVTEQ supplies comprehensive digital map information to power automotive navigation systems, portable and wireless devices, Internet-based mapping applications and government and business solutions. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has approximately 4,400 employees located in 192 offices and in 43 countries.