Autumn Is the Time for Auto Maintenance & Repair
Summer is over and cold weather is on its way! Now is a good time to winterize your vehicle, while the weather is still somewhat mild. Surveys have shown that about 70% of motorists do not prepare their vehicle for winter’s more difficult weather and road conditions. No one wants to be stranded when their vehicle breaks down - and especially not with freezing temperatures, icy rain or slippery wet snow.
Responsible vehicle owners take care of their vehicles all year long. Just because your vehicle made it through summer, it’s not necessarily ready for winter! Below are some quick and easy tips for preparing your vehicle for cold temperatures and slippery driving conditions. You can also browse these websites for additional “Winter Tips”:
Getting Started: Your owner’s manual has some of the best information on how to take care of your vehicle, including the
manufacturer's recommended service intervals. If you are not a “do-it-yourself” person, find a qualified mechanic to help winterize your
vehicle. If emissions-related work is needed, be sure to check our website for a list of certified emissions repair facilities.
Tires
Worn tires are especially unsafe with winter’s icy, slippery roads. Poorly-aligned wheels and/or under-inflated tires make your engine work harder and use excess gasoline.
To save gas and money, check each tire’s air pressure on a monthly basis since that’s how often the air pressure can change -especially in the winter months when tire pressures go down due to the drop in air temperature. Before driving the vehicle, check the tires to be sure they meet the manufacturer’s recommendations for air pressure (refer to your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s inflation label inside the driver door). If your tires are under-inflated or over-inflated, they will wear more quickly and you will need to replace them sooner -costing you more money unnecessarily.

Check your vehicle’s tire tread. Worn or bald tires reduce your vehicle’s ability to stop, and this problem is more severe when driving on wet, snowy or icy roadways. Insert a penny in the tread at the top of your tire with Lincoln’s head side down. If you can see the top of
Lincoln’s head, the tread depth is below the minimum.

Don’t forget to have your tires inspected and follow the manufacturer’s specifications for tire rotation intervals – which are primarily based upon your driving habits (i.e., city versus highway) and the road conditions (flat roads versus hills) Many auto shops recommend rotating tires every 6,000 miles.

Don’t forget your spare tire. Make sure it’s readily available and that you also have the necessary tools to change a tire and that your jack is in good working order.

Engine
If your vehicle has been exhibiting engine problems such as rough idling, stalling, hard starts, decreased power/poor acceleration, etc., see a qualified mechanic to have these problems corrected, as cold weather will only make them worse. Check your vehicle’s filters (air, fuel, PCV, etc.) to see if they need replacement.

Windshield Wipers
Make sure your vehicle’s windshield wiper blades are in good working order (not torn, cracked or just partially clearing the windshield). Being able to clearly see the road is your responsibility. Since wiper blades wear out simply from being exposed to sunlight, ice, snow and salt, it’s a good idea to replace wiper blades twice a year (perhaps fall and spring). You may want to consider keeping a spare set of windshield wiper blades in your car – especially for those longer winter road trips.

Be sure your vehicle has plenty of windshield washer/cleaner in the washer fluid reservoir. Since most of these products contain alcohol, do not dilute them with water, as this may reduce their benefit of not freezing in winter temperatures. Stock up on washer fluid and keep a spare container in your vehicle--you’ll be surprised how much you use during the winter months. Also, be sure you have a good ice scraper in your vehicle and a spare at home.

Battery
In colder weather it’s harder to start a vehicle. What was an adequate battery in warm weather may not start the vehicle in cold weather because it’s harder to turn over the engine due to low temperatures. Be sure to have the charge (voltage) level and charging system of your vehicle checked to be sure it is functioning properly. Regularly check your vehicle’s battery terminals and remove any corrosion with a toothbrush. Have the battery, cables, terminals and electrolyte level checked to be sure your vehicle is well-equipped for the cold winter months. (Many auto stores and garages offer this service.)

Lights
During the winter months it gets dark outside earlier, and visibility is also reduced by snow, rain, ice or fog. Your vehicle’s lights help you see the roads and snowy or icy driving conditions, and also help other motorists to see you from a safe distance – especially during the winter when vehicles need more time to brake on slippery roads.

Check your vehicle’s headlights, brake lights, fog lights, turn signals and emergency flashers/lights to be sure they are in good working condition. Before heading out on the roadways, make certain all lights are free from storm debris, snow, ice, sand, salt, or other de-icing agents, as this could reduce visibility and other motorists’ ability to see you. temperatures.

Fluids
Hot summer months are not the only time to be concerned about your vehicle’s fluid levels. Check the level of your engine oil - during the cold winter months, some vehicles run better using lower viscosity (thickness) engine oil. Always check with your vehicle owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s specifications regarding oil levels and types of engine oil to use.

One of the most common causes of engine-related roadside breakdowns is a cooling system failure. Just because winter may have freezing temperatures outside, this does not mean that your vehicle cannot overheat. As such, it is critical to make certain the cooling system is properly maintained. Make sure your vehicle’s cooling system (including the radiator) is completely flushed and refilled as recommended by the manufacturer.

Be sure to check that your vehicle’s radiator is filled with the correct blend of anti-freeze and water. The specified amount (level), quality or condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. Some motorists try to evaluate the condition of their antifreeze by its color. The chemical breakdown of the antifreeze over time causes it to be ineffective against corrosion, freezing-up, or boiling, and deteriorated, weak antifreeze won't provide necessary engine protection - regardless of the color. Follow the manufacturer’s specifications, and to be safe, change your antifreeze every two years or 24,000 miles.

Also be sure your vehicle’s transmission fluid level is correct to help prevent slippage, which is more likely to occur during winter months when transmission fluid can be thickened by cold temperatures.

Belts
Have your vehicle’s belts checked to be sure they are tensioned correctly and not squealing, cracked, missing pieces or out of adjustment.

Radiator
A radiator cap does not last forever. It is recommended that you replace your vehicle’s radiator cap every time you flush and refill your
cooling system. To be sure to get the right cap for your vehicle, always check the manufacturer’s specifications.

Replace any worn radiator hoses that appear cracked, brittle, bulging, or with bubbles or spongy soft spots. It is recommended that hoses be replaced every 4 years. If you are getting new radiator hoses, replace them with new clamps as well, as they help prevent leaks.
Fuel
Approximately once a month put a bottle of fuel de-icer in your tank and avoid running with the fuel gauge on near empty; this helps keep moisture from freezing in the fuel line.
Oil
It is critical to change your vehicle’s oil and oil filter as specified in your owner’s manual, and more frequently if you’re driving in a lot of
“stop-and-go” situations or frequent short trips. Surveys have shown that regular oil and filter changes are among the most frequently
neglected maintenance items – yet are most critical in protecting your vehicle’s engine.
Brakes
There are no conditions more critical for optimum braking than winter’s snowy, icy roadways. Now is a good time to check your vehicle’s brakes, brake fluid, and emergency brake to be sure that they will work at optimum level throughout the entire winter season. Don’t wait until you have to stop on snow or ice to discover that your brakes have failed. If you have your brakes routinely checked, you will also help prevent more costly repairs caused by worn brake pads. Be sure to also have your brake fluid level checked, and if it is below the manufacturer’s recommended level, add brake fluid from a sealed container.
Heater & Defroster
Don’t neglect the heater and defroster – make sure both are in good working condition for good visibility and passenger comfort.
Thermostat
The thermostat is typically not visible and is very easy to forget. The thermostat controls coolant flow through the engine, and if it fails the engine will overheat. To be extra safe, replace the thermostat when you change the radiator hoses.

Closed Parking Area
During cold winter months, don’t forget to turn off your engine when in enclosed areas (garages, etc.) Vehicles emit poisonous gases, including carbon monoxide, which can greatly inhibit your ability to absorb oxygen.

Exhaust System
Be sure to have your vehicle’s exhaust system checked for any possible leaks, as this can result in a deadly situation if in a closed
vehicle.Vehicle flooring and the trunk compartment should also be inspected for small holes or rusted areas that can admit exhaust fumes.
Transmission
Surveys show that the transmission is often neglected until a major failure. As such, be sure to have the transmission routinely checked and the fluids changed as prescribed by the manufacturer to prevent costly repairs.
Be Prepared for Emergencies
Most people don’t expect an emergency to happen - but it’s always best to be prepared when it does happen.

Year-round it’s a good idea to keep emergency items on-hand, such as road flares, jumper cables, tools, bottled water, flashlight, cell phone with stored emergency contact numbers, and a cell phone car-charger. In addition, during the cold winter months it’s a good idea to keep a warm blanket, extra set of warm socks, comfortable clothes, hat, gloves, scarf, coat, walking shoes/boots, and snacks. If you travel with a small child, be sure you have these extra items for your child as well. Keeping a small shovel and bag of sand or salt is also helpful in case your tires get stuck in the snow or on the ice.
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