Frankie D's Auto Repair

Information may not be reliable

We know that most people dont look forward to harsh winter weather. But even if you're not ready for the cold and snow, you need to make sure that your vehicle is. Don't wait until it's too late to winterize your vehicle. Get prepared in the Fall while it is still mild outside.

1. Many car owners will take care of some maintenance items long before the first snow of the season; like a good waxing to protect the finish. This will help the snow slide off better for easier cleaning.

2. Schedule a visit to your auto technician and have the belts and hoses checked out to see if they need to be replaced. Your belts and hoses should all fit snugly and should not be cracked, glazed or frayed. Hoses showing obvious signs of wear such as cracks, cuts, stiffness, bulges, excessive softness or abrasions should be replaced immediately. They can be conveniently replaced when its time to flush the cooling system and install new coolant. At the very least, replace coolant hoses every four years because there often is no visible, early warning sign of failure.

3. Are you approaching the time for a 30,000-mile full service for your vehicle? If so, dont procrastinate! Among other things, the service should include an oil change, and the oil used should have the right viscosity, or thickness, for your vehicle at this time of year. Oil tends to thicken as it gets colder, and if its too thick it wont do the best job of keeping your engine lubricated. It may be a good idea to change your oil to one with a lighter weight for sub-zero temperatures, which makes for easier start-ups and less engine wear in the first few minutes. Check your owners manual for guidance about which oil to use in different climates and temperatures.

4. Do you have four-wheel drive? If so, its important to check the status of your four-wheel-drive system and be sure its working correctly especially because most drivers dont use their 4WD systems in the pleasant summer months. Be sure that the system engages and disengages easily, and that all drivers in your household know how and when to activate the system.

5. Check your vehicle's transmission fluid, brake fluid and engine coolant to make sure they don't need to be changed. If you are unsure about doing this yourself, take it to a service station. Make certain the heater/defroster is working properly and keep the gas tank full. In addition to staying ready for the road, a full fuel tank decreases the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.

6. Get the antifreeze mixture just right. Aim for having a 50-50 mix of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your radiator. This will prevent the mixture from freezing even at ridiculously cold temperatures. Its easy to check the status of the mixture with an inexpensive antifreeze tester, which you can pick up at any auto parts store. If the mixture is off, your cooling system should be drained and refilled or flushed. Be sure youre equipped to dispose of your old antifreeze properly if you do this job yourself. It cant just be poured down the drain.

7. All-season tires do a reasonably good job in most conditions (dry roads, moderate ice and snow) but they're not ideal for deep snow and severe ice. A snow tire is a better choice for travelling in poor winter conditions, while a studded snow tire is another option (legal up to end of April). Keep in mind that studded tires have two disadvantages: there's traction sacrifice on dry and wet roads; and the studs are noisy. No matter what kind of tires you choose, keep track of their wear. If you are due to get new tires, don't wait until the middle of winter: get them replaced before the snow flies. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and that your spare tire is in good condition. Worn tires will be of little use in winter weather. Examine tires for remaining tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping; check the sidewalls for cuts and nicks. Check tire-pressure once a month, rotate as recommended and be sure the jack is in good condition.

Think about switching to snow tires. Do you live in a hilly place that gets its fair share of snow? Then you might want to improve traction even more by investing in winter tires and using them over the next few months instead of your usual all-season tires. When shopping around for snow tires, ask about all the fees that might come into play, such as fees for mounting and balancing. You can accomplish this easily and make accurate cost comparisons by asking each store for the out the door charge.

8. Also, check to see if your spark plugs and battery need replacing. You don't want to have a stalled vehicle in the dead of winter. If your battery is more than two years old, take it to your technician to have the charging system completely checked. Older batteries are less likely to start in winter temperatures than newer ones.

9. To keep the doors from freezing in cold weather, spray or smear silicone every fall and spring on all the gaskets between the door and the body. If there is a gasket on each, coat both. It's a good idea to also treat the gaskets on the trunk or hatch.

10. Washing your vehicle on a regular basis is a good idea in the winter to keep all the salt and grime off your vehicle. But if you do wash the vehicle when it's very cold outside, the door lock mechanisms may get wet, which may cause your locks to freeze. To prevent this from happening, spray graphite in the key slot and work your key into it several times to get the graphite deep in the slot. Make sure not to get messy graphite on your clothes and wipe off the key before you stick it back into your purse or pocket. It may be a good idea to have a keyless entry system installed in your vehicle.
Also, keep a container of lock thawing chemicals handy in case the door lock still freezes. If your gas cap door can be opened from outside the car, you can store a small container inside the door. If not, then keep it somewhere in your garage, purse, etc. The chemicals usually wash the lubricant out of the lock mechanism, so shoot more graphite into the lock after you get it open.

11. There are items you will want to have on hand for the winter. One of these is an aerosol de-icer that you can use on frozen doors and locks. But remember, the colder it gets, the less pressure the propellant will provide. A handy item to have in the garage or your shed is windshield washer fluid. Stock up and make sure to fill your vehicle's reservoir. If you have been using water instead of washer fluid, make sure it is completely removed before you add the fluid. Keep a few good scrapers and brushes around just in case you lose any. Have one in your vehicle, one in your garage and one at work. That way, you are covered wherever you are. Use the toothed side of the scraper to break up ice and the smooth side to clear off chunks of ice and snow.

12. You may also want to apply a repellant to the windshield and all the windows to keep them free of slush, salt and muck. The repellant does this by filling in microscopic pits and scratches to which the stuff clings. This also makes it easier to scrape off ice and snow from the windows. Put some on your wiper blades, too.

13. Speaking of windshield wipers, you should replace your regular ones with winter blades. They have a thin rubber sheath covering the superstructure to keep snow and ice from building up so the entire blade stays in contact with the glass. Do not yank or chop at your windshield wipers to try to free them if they are stuck to the windshield. You may pull chunks from the blade, which will lead to streaking when you use the wipers. Also check to see that your heater and defroster are working properly so you can keep the windshield nice and clear. Start the vehicle, put on the defroster, and clear the other windows first. By the time you get to the windshield, the wipers should be free from ice.

14. Turn on your vehicle's lights and walk around the vehicle. Make sure they are working properly. If any are burnt out, replace them. If any lenses are cracked or broken, replace them, too. Make sure you check the high beams, low beams, turn signals and hazard flashers.
Also, check to see if your headlights are aimed properly. This helps you see where you are going and keeps you from blinding oncoming drivers. If you carry heavy loads often, be sure to check the lights under those conditions, as well.

15. Carry in your Vehicle: Store some carpet scraps in your vehicle. If you happen to get stuck in the snow, place these scraps under the wheels for better traction. You should also keep a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle in case you become stranded. Store this stuff in your trunk during the winter months, especially if a road trip is in your future:

a bag of abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter, which can provide additional traction if a tire gets stuck in snow.
Also, keep the gas tank as full as you can to prevent the gas lines from freezing.

16. Know what to do if you get stranded. Dont wander away from your car unless youre completely sure about where you are and how far away help is. Light two flares and situate them at each end of your vehicle to call attention to your plight. Put on the extra clothes and use the blanket to stay warm. If you have enough gas in the tank, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes for each hour youre waiting for help. Leave at least one window open a little bit so that snow and ice dont seal the car shut. Suck on a hard candy to prevent your mouth from getting too dry.