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Here are three things you should do to get your car
ready for the winter months ahead:
1. Get Your Tires Ready
Snowy, sleety roads are hard enough to drive on when
you have perfect tires. If you have under-inflated tires, your ability to handle and brake will
be compromised to an even greater (and scarier) degree. Under-inflated tires also wear out faster
and reduce fuel economy. Plus, they run much hotter, which can lead to tire failure. Stop in today and we will Check tires with a tire gauge and inflate if they are low. Make an appointment or drive
on in... to have your wheel alignment checked. While you're there, you may also want to consider getting snow
tires put on for the winter.
2. Swap Out Tired Wipers
If you currently have to squint through the smeared water left on
your windshield by old, tired wipers, it's time to get new blades. They only cost about $15-$20, but can literally save your
life by increasing your visibility in rainy, sleety and snowy conditions. In addition, be sure to top up on wiper fluid. You'll
need plenty of that to be able to see when driving in the snow.
3. We Get the "Big Three" Ready for Winter (Oil, Battery,
Antifreeze)
"Winter
Checkup"
While you are getting the rest of your car in order, we check three
other critical things. First, take a look at your battery's posts to make sure they are
free and clear of any corrosion and that it has all the water it needs. Second,
we check the oil. It tends to thicken as it gets colder, and if it's too thick it won't do the
best job of keeping your engine lubricated. Finally, we make sure your Radiator has enough antifreeze;
experts recommend having a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water inside your radiator. If the mixture is off, your cooling system
should be drained and refilled or flushed.
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Winter Car Care Checklist:
Winter
Specific Maintenance
In addition to the added perils of winter driving, the change in weather can bring peril
to your car's systems. Freezing temps, salted roads and wintery precipitation can gang up on your car if you don't give it
a baseball-bat sized maintenance session. These winter maintenance jobs will keep you out of trouble: - Check your antifreeze
Your antifreeze (the juice that goes in your radiator) is an essential
part of your car's winter protection. Your car contains a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Make sure the level is full and
the mixture is close to 50/50. Many service stations and repair centers will check this mixture free, or you can buy a tester
for around $5. You did remember to perform a radiator flush last spring, didn't you? - Inspect your tires
The last line of defense between you and an oak tree are your tires.
Winter is not the time to get cheap about your tires, so take the time to check the tread depth. The National Highway Transportation
Safety Board says you need at least 2/32" of depth to be safe. It's been my experience, especially in winter weather,
that anything less than 4/32" (1/8") be replaced soon. The old penny test is as reliable as anything to find out
whether your treads are ready for winter action. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure. Believe it or not, they lose a
little pressure when it gets cold, so pump 'em up. - Replace your wipers
Wipers? What do your windshield wipers have to do with winter weather? Two things. First, anything falling from the sky
is going to end up on your windshield, and unless you have a team of beavers riding on the hood of your car the task of clearing
it falls on your wipers. Second, in areas that see snowfall in the winter, you're also driving through that soupy muck that's
left on the road once the highway department does their thing. This muck includes a lot of sand and salt, both of which end
up on your windshield. It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe. - Check your windshield washer fluid
You'll be using lots of washer fluid as you try to
keep your windshield sparkly. A mile stuck behind an 18-wheeler will have your windshield looking like a Desert Humvee if
you're low on washer fluid. *Tip: Don't fill your washer fluid reservoir with anything except washer fluid, it won't freeze!
Annual
Maintenance Procedures
On top of the checks you need to perform to ensure safe winter driving, now's a good
time to do some annual maintenance. These aren't necessarily specific to winter driving, but it's a good point on the calendar
to get around to doing this stuff. - Clean your battery posts
Starting
problems are a bummer any time of year. Regularly treating your battery to a cleaning can keep electrical gremlins at bay.
- Inspect your spark plug wires
Cracked up plug wires
affect performance, gas mileage and general reliability. Be sure yours are in top shape. - Inspect your brakes
Brakes are not a good area to cut corners. Be sure your brakes have
enough meat left to get you through the season. - Check Your Engine Oil
This should go without saying and should be done at least monthly. But in case you're an amnesiac ... you should also do
an oil change!
Cold weather safety should be a concern for anybody living
in a cold climate. These tips will give you the upper hand when Old Man Winter tries to put a chill on your winter travels.
If you're extra curious about staying generally safe in winter weather, the National Weather Service has an excellent Winter Safety & Awareness guide that covers everything from how storms brew to a list of history's
billion dollar winter wonders. Wiper blades: Replace
worn, streaking or damaged blades. Consider winter ones that won't pack with snow and remain in contact with the glass.
Windows: Apply water repellent to windshield and windows to keep them free
of slush, salt and muck.
Doors, hatches and trunks: Apply silicone oil
or grease to all door, hatch and trunk-lid gaskets to preserve the rubber and prevent them from freezing shut.
Tires and brakes: Install winter tires (if you choose) or rotate your all-seasons. Inspect
the brake pads (disc brakes) or shoes (drum brakes) while tires are off. If they are scored or worn, replace them. Check the
air pressure on all tires, including the spare. In winter, tires lose 1 pound of pressure for each 10-degree drop in temperature.
Look for worn or uneven treads. Honest, Abe can help. Put a penny upside down in the tread and if any of Lincoln's hairline
shows, replace the tires. Some folks use a quarter, letting George Washington be their guide.
Paint:
Use professional touchup paint to seal any scratches or dings. After washing the car, wax and polish it.
Locks and hinges: A graphite-based or synthetic lubricant is recommended for locks, oil
for hinges.
Lights and light bulbs: Turn the lights on and walk around
the vehicle to check for burned-out bulbs; owner's manuals list replacements. Don't forget the high beams. Make sure headlights
are aimed properly.
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Best
Buy Tire & Automotive Service 4890 Superior Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44103 216-881-TIRE
216-432-2080 216-432-3238 Fax - 216-432-3332  E-mail us:
bestbuytire@yahoo.com
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