The Key to Keeping Your Car Running Through the Winter is to Prepare it
29 September 1999
The Key to Keeping Your Car Running Through the Winter is to Prepare it Thoroughly During the Autumn Months; Murray's Discount Auto Stores Offers The Latest in Technology for Electrical System Check Ups FreeBELLEVILLE, Mich., Sept. 28 -- The nip in the air tells motorists two things -- autumn is here and winter is coming! Motorists should never let the upcoming winter weather keep them snowbound. Get your vehicle prepared now to avoid being sorry later. Be sure that all of the four necessary areas are checked -- exterior, interior, under the hood and under the car. Here are a variety of helpful tips and specialty items from Greg Jones, Director of Training at Murray's Discount Auto Stores, that will keep cars winterized against the cold, snow and ice. Remember that now is the time to wax the car for winter, as well as to check all vehicle fluids, tires, belts and hoses to ensure winter readiness. Also, tune up the vehicle to avoid maintenance by replacing caps, wires, spark plugs, engine filters and PCV valves. Also, according to Jones, motorists should consider these important specialty items, some for preventative measures, some for maintenance: * According to industry reports, up to 25% of wiper blades are worn to the point of being a driving hazard. They should be checked; * As weather cools, most engine damage is done at start-up; synthetic oil is highly recommended because it is able to lubricate the engine components faster; * Battery Jump Start Units -- portable, pre-charged, ready to use, holds charge for three months; * Exterior treatment -- use the right washes and waxes to maximize protection for the vehicle against the coming winter weather elements; * Interior treatment -- treat the interior with protection against the chemicals, dirt and snow brought in from outside; * Fix-A-Flat -- screw into valve stem and it inflates tire temporarily to allow travel to service station; * Emergency Road Kit -- includes many items, including jumper cables, fix-a-flats, battery chargers, etc. that every vehicle should possess in the winter in case of an emergency. These specialty emergency items and tips work to keep vehicles running in the face of unpredictable winter weather. It could save motorists hundreds of dollars in winter car repair bills and even their lives. One of the vital areas to be checked is the electrical system, which is responsible for countless numbers of breakdowns throughout the year. This is because, according to Jones, as temperature goes down, a vehicle's need for power increases, but the available battery power decreases. Murray's provides free testing of battery/starting/charging systems with the new PowerSensor Micro 500 Analyzer, and its unique patented conductance technology. "The Micro 500 Analyzer offers customers the fastest and most complete analysis of the electrical system: battery, starter and charging system," said Jones. "It's thought of as 'Electrical System First Aid.' Customers will get an extremely precise diagnosis the day they check it as to if their electrical system will last throughout the season, or if it will fail."