Monday, November 8

Winterize your car before deep freeze sets in

By Tom Greenwood

The Detroit News

Whether temperatures are kissing 70 or flirting with the 30s, you still have time to prepare your car for cold weather.

``Most drivers either put this off to the last minute or don't do anything until there's a problem,'' says Bob Campbell, service manager of a car dealership in Troy, Mich. ``But it's a lot easier to avoid problems if the car is winterized while winter is still on the way.''

A good shop will ask how much you drive and how often, said Kevin Evans, owner and mechanic at Midtown Auto Service in Sioux Falls, S.D.

``The way you drive has a bearing on how much maintenance and how timely your maintenance will be,'' he says.

Regular physicals for your vehicles are best, Evans says. Once you have a record, you can plan your maintenance rather than scramble to schedule random repairs.

``The people that subscribe to a twice-a-year physical rarely have surprises,'' he says. ``It's just like keeping tabs on your own health.''

The winter maintenance checklist is long, but probably the most important - and overlooked - item is a vehicle's battery, Campbell says.

``Batteries grow weaker as the weather gets colder,'' he says. ``Power is reduced by 35 percent at freezing and up to 60 percent when the temperature hits zero. Many times, batteries are damaged by hot, harsh summers, but the problem doesn't show up until it's winter when the greatest demands are made.''

Motorists should make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight, Campbell says. A mechanic should check a balky battery and replace it if not up to par.

``The next really important area is your cooling system,'' Campbell says.Make sure the hoses and belts are in good shape. The cooling system should be flushed and replaced every couple of years although some vehicle systems today are good for up to 150,000 miles.

Exhaust systems should be inspected to ensure that there are no holes that can release toxic fumes into the interior of the vehicle.

``Your exhaust doesn't have to be rumbling in order to cause serious problems,'' Campbell says. ``Small, silent leaks can also be deadly.''

Make sure all fluid levels are topped off, including oil, power steering fluid and brake and windshield-wiper fluid. Campbell recommends windshield-wiper fluid that contains antifreeze for good cold weather protection.

And the windshield wipers could have deteriorated in the harsh summer sun. Get them replaced if they're streaking, squeaking or smearing.

``Winter is our busiest season here at the garage,'' Campbell says. ``That's because people wait until the weather gets bad or there's a problem. It's much easier to winterize your car now before it gets really cold.''

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(Contributing: Dorene Weinstein, (Sioux Falls, S.D.) Argus Leader)