Prepare For Rough WeatherDriving (NAPSA)—Winter driving can be dangerous andstressful, espe- cially in snow and ice. Advanced preparations can provide greater peace of mind and help maketrips safer, whetherit’s to the grocery store or a faraway ski resort. Get the Car Ready for the Cold Whether you take your car in for a routine checkup at a service center like Jiffy Lube or do it yourself, these are someessential preparations for winter driving: Check the battery’s age to make sure the car will start on frigid mornings. On average, a car battery will last about fourorfive years. If yours is more than two yearsold, test it to see if it will withstandthecold. According to the American Automobile Association, a battery loses 35 percent of its power at 32 F and 60 percent of its power at 0 degrees F. To minimize the strain on your battery, start the car with the heater, lights and window defrosters turned off. Tire blowouts can be particu- larly dangerous, so make sure they are properly inflated, have adequate tread depth and have been rotated according to manufacturer’s recommendations. Make sure you have enough fresh antifreeze and washerfluid. Check wiper blades to make sure they glide smoothly and do not leave streaksor blind spots. Check engineoil, differential fluid and transmission fluid to see if they need changing according to manufacturer’s recommendations. Carry the Essentials A properly packed emergency kit is essential during the winter. Makesure to havea flashlight, extra batteries, water, flares, blankets, shovel, snow brush and ice scraper. Also, keep somekitty litter or sand in the trunk— spreading it under yourtires will give you moretraction if you get stuck. Bring wire and cloth if you need to patch a leaking hose to make it to the nearest service center. Before Hitting the Slopes Winding narrow roads and black ice (especially on bridges) make mountain driving danger- ous. Take extra precautions before driving to your favorite ski resort. Test your brakes on the moun- tain roads to get a feel for how they react. Reduce your speed, brake slowly, and leave plenty of space between you and other motorists. Check the weather conditions before you leave and use sound judgment. If you get caught in a sudden blizzard, stay in yourcar. Do not idle your car for long stretches of time to keep warm. For more information on car maintenance and safety, visit www.jiffylube.com.
