Preparing Your Car For The Big Chill ( (NAPSA)—A few minutes in the garage before the bitter cold hits could help prevent a more time-consuming and unpleasant experience during the winter. According to the experts at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), cold weather will only make existing problems worse. It’s a good idea to read the owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommendedservice schedules. Here are a few more items that are easy and sim- ple to check: Tires—Worn tires can be extremely dangerous in rain, snow and on ice. Examine tires for remaining tread life and uneven wearing. Be sure to check the sidewalls for cuts and nicks as well. Allseason radials or winter tires are a wise investment for those who must drive in inclement weather regu- Checking your tires before bad weather sets in will keep your vehicle running more smoothly. battery washers to keep corrosion from coming back. Make sure the battery terminals and hold-downs are tight. Clean and lubricate hinges and the hood latch. Fuel—lIt’s important to keep gas lines from freezing in cold weather. A full gas tank will help keep moisture and ice from form- ing. Particularly cold weather may larly. Check tire pressure and rotate warrant a fuel deicer. A block sure the jack functions properly. Cooling system—Regularly Motor oil—The easiest way to protect and improve the performance of your car is to upgrade to the tires as recommended. Don’t forget to check your spare and be check the level, condition and concentration of the coolant. A 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is usually recommended. Check hoses for cracks andleaks. Windshield wipers—Check wiper blades and replace them if needed. Rubber-clad blades can fight ice buildup. Stock up on windshield washer solvent. If you don’t have an ice scraper, get one before you needit. Battery—If your battery is beyond its recommended service life, replace it. Top any low battery cells with distilled water. Clean and tighten battery terminals to ensure electricity gets to the starter on chilly mornings.If there’s corrosion, clean it with a mixture of baking soda and water and put on a set of heater is another option that is fairly inexpensive and easy to use. a high-performance synthetic motor oil and change the oil regu- larly. Synthetic motor oils have better low-temperature fluidity and a lower coefficient of friction than mineral-based motor oils. This helps ensure easier start-ups on cold weather days. Some motor oils, such as Royal Purple, are actually formulated with mole- cules that chemically bond with engine components for continuous engine protection. Additionally, Royal Purple motor oil has been shown to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and increase horsepowerandtorque. Learn More Independent testing data is at www.royalpurple.com.
