Winter Essentials

Is Your Car Ready for Winter Driving?

A Quick Checklist for Winter Safety

Temperature extremes demand top performance from your car. Winter time, with its cold weather and icy driving conditions, make preventative maintenance a must for safe and reliable driving.

Did you know that the greatest percentage of emergency road service calls comes when the first severe cold snap hits? Be prepared - don't be a statistic.

Here are 8 items that needs attention to prepare your car for winter.

1. The Electrical System:
Cold weather causes your battery to lose about half its normal strength while the demand of the battery increase. Oil is thicker so the engine doesn't turn over as easily, and other electrical functions such as heaters, defrosters, window wipers and washers also demand heavy load from your battery. It is important to check that all of your battery cables and connections are in good condition and to check charging circuit and starting mechanism.
Sometimes under cold conditions the demands on the electrical system may reduce the available voltage to the ignition and fuel injection systems. This can cause poor performance or prevent starting. For all these reasons - higher demands and lower performance caused by the cold - all components must be in top working order to start your car reliably through the winter.

2. The Ignition System:
With the battery output decreasing in cold weather and the engine needing maximum spark, the ignition system must be in peak working condition. Spark plugs should be checked, as well as wires, cap, rotor and other components.

3. Emission Controls:
Getting steadily more complicated, these require periodic checking and maintenance for optimum performance. If malfunctioning, they can cause hard starting, poor performance, and overheating.

4. The Fuel System:
Dirt and water are the big enemies of your car fuel system. Poor starting can be a result of sediments or other deposits which deter the fuel from getting to the engine. Additives can eliminate deposits and routine replacement of fuel filters prevents sediment in the gas tank from disabling your fuel system. The added probability of condensation and contamination of fuel in cooler weather makes it critical for you to keep to keep your car's gas tank filled to at least 1/4 full.

5. The Cooling System:
Prepare your cooling system before the cold weather. Check and/or replace anti-freeze. The system should be flushed and tested and all hoses, clamps, and belts inspected. If you have brought your car to Nashville from a different climate, have your thermostat checked.

6. Under the Car:
Tires, steering, suspension and brakes all become especially important in winter weather and icy driving conditions. Brakes and clutch should be checked for hydraulic fluid leaks cause by temperature changes. Beware of brake fluid loss (look for the warning light on your dashboard) or a spongy feel to your brakes or clutch pedal. Wheel balancing and alignment should be inspected along with a careful exam of exhaust components, as leaking exhaust is especially dangerous in winter when windows are closed.

7. Lubricant, Fluids, and Filters:
It is good idea in the late fall to give your car its seasonal maintenance including oil change. If your car's manual suggests a lighter grade of oil in winter, now is the time to change it. Also transmission fluid and filter should be checked and charged if necessary. For transmissions, the rule of thumb is every 2 years or 24, 000 miles.

8. Seeing and Being Seen:
This is the time of the year to check that your car's lights, windshield wipers and washers are working. Weak of inoperative defrosters should be fixed immediately.