Hooking up tire chains

Certain precautions can help keep vehicles operating smoothly in bitterly cold weather. Here are some things to check:

The American Red Cross

Tires

According to the folks at O’Reilly Auto Parts, tire pressure drops along with the outdoor temperature, so check the tires often for proper inflation. Also, inspect tires for wear and replace them immediately if the tread is excessively worn.
Battery

At freezing, batteries lose cranking power, and as the thermometer dips even lower, they continue to get weaker.

If your battery is more than three years old, have it checked by a qualified technician to make sure it’s in good working order and will continue to provide reliable starts and decent performance. As a routine measure, scrape away corrosion from the posts, clean the surfaces and tighten the cable connections.
Oil and filter

To optimize the performance of your vehicle in cold temperatures, check your owner’s manual for the recommended viscosity of oil that’s appropriate for winter temperatures. Using the correct grade of oil and a replacing your oil filter with a fresh one can lead to better fuel efficiency and easier cold starts.
Antifreeze

The freshness and level of your vehicle’s antifreeze can be crucial during the winter months. According to O’Reilly Auto Parts, the No. 1 cause of engine-related breakdowns is cooling system failure. To help prevent this, have your antifreeze flushed with a good chemical cleaner and filled with at least a 50/50 mix every two years.
Windshield wipers

Make sure the reservoir is filled with freeze-resistant washer solvent, AAA experts say. And replace wiper blades if necessary. Freezing rain or heavy frost mixed with worn wipers impairs your visibility and can be dangerous. Because a blast of wintry weather can quickly wear down and crack blades, it’s a good idea to stash an extra set of wipers in the trunk for emergencies.
Radiator

Check coolant strength with a hydrometer, AAA advises, and never check it when your engine is hot. The recommended protection level is -36 degrees.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, January 9th, 2010 at 5:42 pm and is filed under Forum, Tech. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.