October is Car Care Month; Now is the Time to Prepare Your Car for Winter
19 October 1999
October is Car Care Month; Now is the Time to Prepare Your Car for Winter
PHILADELPHIA--Oct. 18, 1999--While leaves and footballs are in the air at this time of year, October is also car care month.The crisp air of autumn will soon become the frozen cold of winter, so now is the best time to prepare your car for the darkness, snow and ice ahead.
"Due to the extreme elements of weather and temperature possible in wintertime, special preparations are required to ensure a vehicle will be ready to meet those demands," said Bruce Chidsey, Vice President of Service Operations. "It's important for car owners to be aware of the problems cold weather can cause and to `winterize' their vehicles."
He offers the following 15 point check list:
| -- | Ice scraper and snow brush: These should be kept in the house if an overnight storm is predicted, to allow removal of ice and snow before having to open a door or the trunk. |
| -- | Window and lock de-icer: This should also be kept in the house. Extras at work can come in handy. |
| -- | Windshield wiper blades: These should be capable of completely clearing the sweptarea of the windshield in three swipes. Replace the blades or refills if cleaning the edge of the blade doesn't help. The winter type blades that prevent snow jamming in the blade's center are best for driving in snow and freezing rain. |
| -- | Washer fluid: This should be topped off frequently using the proper fluid to prevent freezing. Don't wait until you run out and windshield is salt covered. Have the defroster on with heat to keep the fluid from freezing in extreme cold. |
| -- | Inside window surfaces: These must be extra clean to reduce surface fog formation and speed defogging. Your defroster and heater will use the air conditioning system to dehumidify the cabin for quicker defogging on all windows. |
| -- | Engine coolant: Antifreeze must be tested to ensure freeze protection to at least -30 degrees F. If it looks muddy or rusty or has been there for more than two years, it's a good time to change the antifreeze to restore the rust inhibitors and water pump lubricant. A professional power flush will remove any harmful grit that could cause premature water pump failure. Have your radiator and heater hoses inspected during this process to identify any softness or leaking conditions. |
| -- | Engine oil: This should always be changed at least at the manufacturer's recommended intervals. Going into winter, the oil's viscosity (or thickness) is important. Oil that doesn't have a multi-weight viscosity rating, i.e., 10W-30, will make the engine crank too slow to start during very cold temperatures. Check your owners manual for the recommended viscosity for the coldest temperature expected in your region. |
| -- | Automatic transmission fluid: This should be full and not leaking. It should not have a brown, burnt appearance or smell. Transmissions get a workout when a vehicle gets stuck in snow, causing extreme temperatures and breakdown of the fluids. If the manufacturer's recommended transmission oil change interval is close, get it done as preventive maintenance. |
| -- | Lighting: Make sure that all lights, including high beams, turn signals and brake lights are working and the headlights are aimed correctly. Keep the lights clean for maximum visibility. |
| -- | Tires: A tread depth of 2/32" in every groove will condemn a tire, but even 2/32" is not much tread to rely on for traction in snow or on slick surfaces. The deeper the tread grooves, the better the traction in snow and the higher resistance to hydroplaning in puddles. If the tread is wearing differently between the edges and the middle of the tread, check the tire pressure. If one side of the tread is wearing more than the other, its time for a wheel alignment. A set of tire chains can be helpful if you are in a heavy snow area and they are legal to use in your state. |
| -- | Brakes: It is a good idea to have the brakes inspected at least twice a year. The best times are just before winter and summer to prevent problems at those times of extreme temperature. |
| -- | Exhaust system: A leaking exhaust system can be lethal if you are stuck on ice or snow and leave the engine running for heat. Have the exhaust system inspected before winter. |
| -- | Tune up: An engine that is not running perfectly will be harder to start in the winter. Have any problems diagnosed and repaired before winter. |
| -- | Emergency kit: An emergency kit, including battery jumper cables, a flashlight, matches, a blanket and a "HELP" sign, is good to have on board any time, especially in winter. |
| -- | And of course, have your battery checked to ensure that the condition and size of your battery is appropriate for your car and the upcoming harsh climates. The battery cables and connections must be tight and free of corrosion to ensure the proper voltages and signals are received in today's sensitive computerized systems. |
Pep Boys, founded in 1921 , is the nation's leading automotive retail and service chain with more than 650 locations in 37 states and Puerto Rico. Customers can find the nearest location by dialing 800/PEP-BOYS or visiting Pep Boys on the Internet at pepboys.com.
