9 Steps For a Winter Ready Car In Colorado

9 Steps For a Winter Ready Car

November 19, 2013

The last thing any driver needs is to break down in cold, harsh winter weather. A vehicle check now before winter arrives is a sensible way to be car care aware and avoid the inconvenience of being stranded out in the cold and with the unexpected expense of emergency repairs, says the Car Care Council. 

“Winterizing your vehicle before the temperatures drop is a wise idea,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “An investment of an hour or two to have your vehicle checked is all it takes to have peace of mind and help avoid the cost and hassle of car trouble during severe weather.”

The Car Care Council recommends the following steps for winterizing your vehicle:

• If you’re due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.

• Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.

• Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years. 

• Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.

• Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.

• Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.

• Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.

• Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.

• Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to “winter weight” oil if you live in a cold climate. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.

Motorists should also keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing. Drivers should check the tire pressure of the spare in the trunk and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, blanket, extra clothes, candles/matches, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication. 

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Holiday Gas Prices Make Driving A Great Choice

The cost of airfares has taken off and the price of gas is steadily declining, making travel by car the way to go this holiday season, says the Car Care Council.
According to a recent Wall Street Journal story, airfares on tickets sold for Thanksgiving week have risen 9.4 percent compared with 2012, and the average price of airline tickets sold for Christmas week is up 7.3 percent over last year. On the other hand, CNN Money reports that gas prices are falling with nearly 20 percent of gas stations nationwide charging less than $3 a gallon.

“With no relief in sight for escalating airfares and gas prices dropping below $3 per gallon in some parts of the country, more and more travelers are realizing the economic and hassle-free benefits of driving to their holiday destination,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Going by car offers a number of advantages over flying and since a family of four can travel 1,000 miles round-trip by car for about the cost of one airline ticket, driving is the sensible option.”

In addition to direct cost savings, travel by car offers a number of practical advantages over flying including:
• Leave when you want, from where you want.
• Pack whatever and as much as you want, including wrapped gifts.
• No airport parking.
• No waiting in long ticket counter and security lines.
• No weather delays.
• More and better meal options.
• No rental car or taxi expenses.
• More legroom and overall comfort.
• Stop and stretch any time.
• No strangers sitting next to you.
• Convenience and ease of taking your pet with you.
• Better able to enjoy the ride.



"Lower Gas Prices Make Driving the Smart Choice" (2013, November) Be Car Care Aware. Retrieved from http://www.carcare.org/2013/11/lower-gas-prices-make-driving-the-smart-choice/
- See more at: http://www.thomsfourwheeldrive.com/index.php/blog/entry/lower-gas-prices-make-driving-the-smart-choice#sthash.RG82YCqh.dpuf