Ask Your Service Tech To Prepare Your Car For The Rigors Of Winter Driving

A few simple precautions now can increase your motoring safety this winter season.

The Gates Rubber Company offers the following checklist for you and your service technician:

Battery – Icy-cold temperatures can reduce a vehicle's battery power by up to fifty percent. If the battery is barely turning the engine over now, it is likely to fail during winter. If your vehicle battery is older than three years, have it tested. Also, make sure the posts and connections are free of corrosion.

Oil – Dirty oil makes it harder for the engine to turn over, especially in cold weather, resulting in premature engine wear. Check your owner's manual for the recommended oil change frequency and replace the oil with the appropriate grade for the seasonal temperatures in your area.

Tires – Tires are frequently the most neglected vehicle component but are among the most important. Check tire pressure and tread depth before winter sets in. Under- inflated and worn tires will not provide sufficient traction – especially on wet or icy roads.

Belts and Hoses – Modern materials have made belts and hoses very durable with relatively long lives, but they can deteriorate over time and fail without warning. Gates says that most cooling system hoses fail from the inside, so to avoid an unexpected burst or pinhole leak, Gates suggests replacing the hoses, especially the upper radiator hose, every four years. Belts showing excessive glazing on the top surface, or cracks in the V-ribs should be replaced immediately, says Gates. The four-year replacement cycle applies to belts, as well.

Coolant -- Inspect the coolant annually. If it has an oily, reddish-brown foam, it may be contaminated by transmission fluid. If the coolant is rusty, the cooling system may need a chemical cleaning and flushing. It can be tested for the proper 50-50 mixture of antifreeze and water that will offer freeze protection to at least – 34ºF., and will provide adequate boilover and anticorrosion protection in most cases.

Preparing your car for winter driving this autumn is a good investment in carefree driving.

Preventive maintenance can save you the cost and inconvenience of a breakdown, or the torment of a no-start on a frigid winter morning.