by Vicente Arenas / 11 News
khou.com
Posted on December 3, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Updated
Thursday, Dec 3 at 6:47 PM
HOUSTON—As the winter approaches, we rush to buy new coats, hats and boots for ourselves and some people even buy warm and cozy snugglies for the pets, but there is another “member” of the family that needs extra attention. It is your car.
Freezing temperatures have a way of making Houston vehicles do inconvenient, unexpected things. The car, believe it or not, needs the most attention during the winter holidays. The cold can wreak havoc on the engine and the last thing anyone needs is to be stalled in the cold.
Winterizing cars is a system of checks and balances that can safeguard your automobile in freezing weather. All motorists are recommended to go through a checklist to make sure their car is ready for the big chill.
Automobile mechanic Derek Lang said that checking your vehicle’s antifreeze level is key.
“On your antifreeze you want to make sure you have a 50/50 mix. You don’t want straight anti freeze, and you don’t want straight water.”
The reason you need a good 50/ 50 mix of coolant is because pure water can freeze. Water in the radiator will freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but with a mixture of antifreeze, it won’t freeze until -34 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is simple to find out what your antifreeze levels are by using an antifreeze tester. They are inexpensive and can be found at any auto parts store. If you discover that the mixture is off, you can adjust it by adding either water or coolant.
Driver, L.M. Kirksey was getting a jump start on the winter weather by checking his car battery.
“This time of year when it gets cold like that, you have a lots of problems with your battery,” he said.
Kirksey was checking his battery and the belts on his SUV.
“That can cause you some major problems and this is the wrong time to be stuck on the side of the highway with some small problems like this, so it’s best to get a jump start on things like this.”
Car care experts said one of the simplest things you can do to help keep your car safe during cold weather is to check your tire pressure. Different tires require different pressures. Too much, or too little air can cause your tires to lose traction. That could be bad news on icy roads.
Mechanic Derek Lang says you should also check your windshield wiper blades. Some people don’t know they need new ones until it’s too late.
To help you with your basic safeguards to protect your car from the approaching cold, 11 News has compiled a checklist of parts that should be checked:
1. Consider using snow tires. These are not a necessity in Houston, but in areas where snowfall is common, snow tires are the best option.
2. Check tire pressure. Properly inflated tires will help with traction between the tire and the road. Traction is at its lowest during wet or snowy conditions.
3. Check your four wheel drive system—Houston has a lot of SUV drivers, and most SUVs have four-wheel drive. But this function is rarely used in warm weather. It is important to check the maintenance before icy conditions set in. It is important to make sure the system engages and disengages smoothly, and always check to ensure the transmission and gear oil levels are correct.
4. Check engine oil and the viscosity grade. The viscosity grade is how thick of thin the oil is. During cold weather, the oil gets thicker. Thicker oil does not circulate well when the engine is cranked up. The engine also does not get proper lubrication if the oil is too thick. Also remember that oil can also be too thin. Make sure you have a proper oil change with oil grade recommended by your car’s manufacture. That can easily be found by looking in your owner’s manual or contacting the dealer.
5. Inspect the belts and hoses. Cold temperatures can shorten the life of your belt. Have the belts and hoses inspected by a certified mechanic before the cold weather approaches.
6. Inspect the wipers and wiper fluid reservoir. THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! Visibility is important during winter weather as frost can build up often on the windshields. Other factors affecting visibility is precipitation, salt buildup and reduced daylight. Windshield wipers usually need to be replaced once a year. If your blades are old, this is a simple, inexpensive, but often overlooked safeguard. Always make sure there is enough fluid in the reservoir.
7. Check the battery. Cold weather can reduce the power in your battery by up to 50 percent. If your car battery is older than three years, have it tested at your local mechanic or auto supply sore. The tests are usually done for free.
8. Check antifreeze mixture. As mentioned earlier, a 50/50 mixture is best to ensure the fluid in the radiator does not freeze.
9. Carry an emergency kit inside the car. If the car breaks down, it is best to be armed with
· A flashlight, flares and first-aid kit
· Jumper cables, a tool kit and tire chains
· Blanket, warm clothes and gloves (especially if you travel with small children and pets)
· A bag of abrasive material, such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter. This can be used for added traction if the tire is ever stuck.
· Extra washer fluid
· Extra food and water.
The CDC has also prepared a winter weather guide to safeguard the citizens during icy conditions. Click here to visit their web site.
