Tis the Season to Prepare Your Vehicle for the Cold

ROANOKE, Va.--The holiday season is upon us and Advance Auto Parts knows the last thing on your mind is getting your vehicle ready for the winter to come. You have a long list of people to shop for, food to prepare and decorations to hang. But in order to accomplish most of these tasks you rely on your vehicle, which is a necessity especially during the holiday season. Even if you are not traveling, your friends and family most likely are, so Advance Auto Parts would like to offer some tips for winterizing your vehicle in order to maximize safety on the road and give you some tips on how to avoid or be able handle unsafe weather conditions.

Top Holiday Prep Tips from Advance Auto Parts

1. Inspect your antifreeze while your engine is cold by using a tester to check the mixture for its freeze point. A 50/50 ratio means 50% distilled water and 50% antifreeze, which is sufficient in most climates, except in extreme cold.

2. Have your charging system checked for FREE at any Advance Auto Parts store. Cold weather makes your battery work much harder, so have it, the alternator, and starter checked out before you’re stuck out in the cold!

3. Change your oil and oil filter. Clean, high quality engine oil goes a long way in protecting the motor in cold start situations. Be sure to change your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles or three months to avoid having to replace your engine. Use the oil recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

4. Visually inspect all lights; marker bulbs, tail lights, third level brake lights, especially headlights and driving lights. Daylight savings time requires bulbs to work longer hours and therefore may cause them to dim or burn out more quickly. Also, check to make sure that the headlight lens casing around the lights is clean as well.

5. Tire Tread condition; check it yourself, or have it checked. Winter driving requires good traction in snow and ice. Quality tire tread sheds the snow, ice and road grime more quickly, providing better traction for improved safety. Check your tire pressure regularly, especially in colder temperatures. Follow the recommended PSI found on the driver's side door post for maximum traction.

6. Have your brakes inspected. Braking can be difficult in icy weather, and it is important that your brakes are working properly. Have your brake pads checked and replaced if the lining is less than 1/8 inch thick, and have your rotors inspected as well. Always brake slowly when driving in treacherous conditions.

7. Visibility is key to your safety; make sure that your wiper blades are in top condition, to fully clear your windshield, and back window if the vehicle is equipped. To make it easy, just purchase new wiper blades from Advance Auto Parts and we will install them for FREE . Road salt and slush can also jeopardize visibility. Use washer fluid containing de-icer and Rain-X Treatment on windows to avoid the chiseling of ice early in the morning.

8. Inspect your engine's belts and hoses. Cracked, frayed or worn out rubber won't stand up to temperature extremes. Don't get stranded on your next trip because of a $10.00 belt or hose!

9. Replace the Cabin Air Filter if the vehicle is equipped. Outside contaminants from Fall and Summer driving are stranded in the cabin air filter and running the heater on "high" in the extreme cold only sends the micro-particles deeper into the vehicle.

10. Protect your vehicle's paint. Rain, snow and salt are extremely tough on paint. A tough coating of quality car wax will add another barrier in-between road grime and your vehicle's paint.

11. Last but not least, prepare a roadside emergency kit including a flashlight with fresh batteries, a blanket, food bars, water bottles, cell phone, jumper cables, flares, Fix-a-Flat, HELP Sign, and a first aid kit.

"Even though you may never use it, it is essential to always carry a winter emergency kit in your vehicle," says Bryan Gregory, director of consumer education for Advance Auto Parts. "A small amount of preparation now could save your own, or someone else's life down the road."

When driving in the snow and ice, abrupt movements of any kind are extremely dangerous and can cause severe accidents. Be sure to travel at a safe and cautious speed, which creates as much possible down force on the tires. Leave extra space between you and other vehicles, both in front of you and behind you, and drive with your headlights on, during both day and night, for better visibility. Again, visibility is key, especially during inclement weather; make sure to defrost and remove ice from all windows before driving.

For more information on winter driving safety, visit www.AdvanceAutoParts.com , click on Know-How, then Video Clinics, and view our free "Winter Prep" clinic, or ask one of our friendly Team Members how you can travel more safely during this busy holiday season. Take our experts with you on your video iPod by downloading Know-How videos, free at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.

About Advance Auto Parts

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. As of October 10, 2009, the Company operated 3,418 stores in 39 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Advance Auto Parts supports a variety of non-profit organizations at the corporate and local levels and encourages its Team Members to become actively involved in various community-based charitable organizations. Nationally, Advance Auto Parts is a strong supporter of United Way and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Since 1994, Advance Auto Parts has raised more than $20 million for JDRF and is one of that organization’s largest corporate supporters.

Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, customer services, and on-line shopping for parts and accessories can be found on the Company’s web site at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.