Driving in the sleet and snow is hard enough, so drivers should do themselves a favor by checking their cars and get them ready for the winter. Mike Calkins, manager of AAA Approved Auto Repair, has broken down this annual chore into three categories:
"You're not going to get far if you can't start the car, so you should start with the battery," Calkins advised.
Any battery older than three years should be tested. Dirt on the battery may trap moisture that can act as a conductor and leak power from the battery. Cleaning the battery is safe and easy, just disconnect the terminals and clean them and the battery posts with a wire brush, warm water and baking soda. Using a household cleaner, remove any dirt and grime from the top and sides of the battery.
Check the owner's manual for how often the cooling system needs to be serviced, newer cars usually don't need to be flushed as often as older models. For colder climates, Calkins said an equal mixture of antifreeze and water is recommended.
Cars in cold weather will generally use more electricity to power the lights, heater and rear-window defroster, which can strain engine belts. Have a mechanic check the belts for proper tension, or a do-it-yourselfer can get a belt tension gauge for the job, and while you're at it check the radiator hoses, which have a life span of five years. Check for brittle or cracked hoses, if you see any problem hoses go ahead and replace them all.
Once you get the car started, you're going to need to see where you're going, which can be difficult if it's snowing or foggy. Drivers often neglect to have their headlights' aim checked, something Calkins said is important.
"If it's snowing outside it won't do you much good if the headlight is aiming straight up. It's easy to test and it doesn't take long to adjust," Calkins said.
If the windshield gets encrusted with road salt or ice, the reduced visibility will make driving treacherous. Always have an ice scraper in the car, otherwise you'll have to wait for the heater to thaw the windshield. When the weather begins to turn cold is the time to replace the wiper blades with winter blades, which have a rubber cover that keeps ice from forming on the blades. The time to change the wiper blades is also the time to refill the washer fluid, using an anti-freeze blend. Check the fluid level every time you fill the gas tank.
Replacing wiper blades and keeping an eye on the washer fluid are wintertime traditions, but who needs air conditioning in the winter?
"You can use the air conditioner as a dehumidifier in the winter, when moisture builds up on the windshield. So it's important to make sure the air conditioner is in good shape," Calkins said.
Drivers in milder climates should check their tires for the proper tread depth. A quick and easy test is to take a penny, with Abe Lincoln's head facing upside down, and place it in a tread. If the tread obscures any part of Lincoln's head, the tire is fine. But if you can see all of Lincoln's head or part of "In God We Trust," it's time for new tires.
To avoid having to remount and balance your tires every year, get a set of inexpensive steel wheels for the snow tires and switch them when the seasons change. When you get the wheels off the car, check the brake pads for corrosion around the calipers and sliding pins. Any pads that are more than 60 percent worn should be replaced.
Sometimes things can go wrong no matter how well you've prepped you car for winter weather, so keep an emergency kit with food and water, blankets, road flares, sand for traction, a folding camp shovel, tire chains, flashlight, etc. "Some of the best things to have are a AAA card and a cellphone," Calkins said. "We'll come and get you."
