Coons?ea Cold Weat her Maintenan ce (NAPSA)—Whencold weather hits and you start seeing harm- & a + - less, steamy, white exhaust from not necessary to idle for a long your car, it’s usually a good sign that you shouldprotectit. “Cars and cold don’t get along,” says Jim MacPherson, who writes for the Hartford Courant, has served as an expert on driving for time, as that simply wastes fuel and offers no more protection than a few seconds ofidling will. Nonetheless, drive easily at first. Slow Down Do not exceed speed limits and “Inside Edition” and hosts a carcare radio show on WTIC-AM in Connecticut. “The plummeting keep safe driving distances. Avoid temperatures cause all kinds of gas-wasting jackrabbit starts and pace your driving to help avoid problems. So in order to stay safe, save money and reduce fuel consumption, it’s important to keep your car properly maintained and tuned. For specific suggestions for your car or truck, check the owner’s manual that came with yourvehicle.” Follow these tips and cold weather driving can be little easier: Routine Maintenance For winter, it’s important to ensure your vehicle’s battery and charging system are in good oper- ating condition. In cold weather, a battery’s cranking power is reduced significantly. At the same time, the electrical power needed to start your car increases when the temperature plunges. Having quality jumper cables or a portable power pack in your trunk is a superb way to prepare for the worst. At the same time, check to make sure your heater and defroster work. Finally, check your wiper blades. Filters, Coolant and Hoses Makesureall filters—oil, gas and air—are in good condition. Check your coolant level and ther- mostat functionality to ensure proper engine warm-up. Coolant should be changed every two onds to make sure the lubrica- tion is circulated throughout the engine, providing protection. It’s years; extended-life coolants last about five years. Check for leak- ing or soft hoses and replace. Also, be sure to check the radiator or coolant tank pressure cap. Lubrication To ease engine start-up during cold weather, use a multiviscosity oil such as Mobil 1 OW-30 or Mobil 1 5W-30, which will help protect you car at temperatures below zero. Low-viscosity oils not only speed start-up, but help reduce wear by flowing oil quickly to critical engine parts. Fully synthetic oils, such as Mobil 1, are specifi- the need for sudden stops, which is especially critical during wet andicy road conditions. Dealing with Ice Makesure you have windowice scrapers and deicers for the locks. Whenyou're stuck, having a small shovel is useful to dig out of the snow. The weight of a bag of sand in the trunk will give added trac- tion in rear-wheel-drive vehicles and can be usedto sprinkle on the snow andice to gain better traction. Don’t forget personal protection such as a warm coat, hat and glove, and a blanket, in case you get stuck in a storm. Keep Fuel in the Tank cally designed to protect your engine in all temperatures. Tire Pressure Examine your tires, checking Never let the fuel tank drop below the half-full mark. A sudden stay safe on snow andice. Addi- fuel supply will allow you to idle for excessive wear and proper inflation. Good tread is needed to tionally, both underinflation and overinflation are undesirable. Low pressure increases wear and fuel consumption, while overpressure can reduce traction, especially in icy conditions. If you live in an area with heavy snowfall, consider snow tires. Vehicle Warm-up Let your car idle for a few sec- storm with unexpected heavy snowfall could leave you stranded for hours. Having an adequate the engine from time to time to keep warm. “Your car will be more depend- able if properly cared for,” says MacPherson. “Take care of your car in the cold andit will keep you from beingleft out in the cold.” For more information on vehicle maintenance, check out www.mobiloil.com.
