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It's Time for Winter Car Maintenance! Tom T  |
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 Now that you have all of the yard work done in preparation for winter, it's time to turn attention to your vehicles. Don't procrastinate - winter is just around the corner! Here are a few car maintenance suggestions to insure your safety and save you time, aggravation and money.
* Does this scenario sound familiar? You're driving down the highway, and suddenly a mass of dirty snow and saltwater splashes onto the windshield from a passing truck. In a panic, you start the wipers and shoot the wiper fluid, only to discover that you're out of fluid and the wiper blades are pushing the slush back and forth across the window! A dangerous predicament, but totally avoidable. Purchase a good set of wipers. It's a small investment with a big return. Also, check the wiper fluid level frequently (keep a bottle of it in your trunk). Finally, clean the windows using a quality window cleaner that removes oils. Oil from the road smears across the glass when the wipers are running. This film can blind you at night in oncoming traffic! Is there anything more important than being able to SEE when you are driving? I think not!
* Engine and transmission oils get thick when outside temperatures drop. Add to the equation a dirty clogged oil filter, and oil flow becomes sluggish. Result? An increase in friction which produces heat. Heat can cause premature failure of transmissions and engines. So make sure both the engine oil and transmission fluid maintenance is current. Have the transmission and oil filters changed at the manufacturer's suggested intervals. (Be a trendsetter - READ YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL!)
* Two criteria that must be met for your car to start in cold weather are a clean, rich fuel mixture and hot sparks at the sparkplugs. Make sure that the performance system is operating up to par. If you haven't had a computer scan done on the system lately, than have one done. Also, perform outdated maintenance, such as a fuel filter replacement.
* A battery that is in boarder-line condition will fail the first time a cold snap hits. The best way to avoid this problem? Have the starting and charging system checked for proper performance. This should include a load test on the battery to make sure it can stand up to a tough load.
* Bad belts, hoses, and marginal cooling systems break down in cold temperatures. So make sure that all belts and hoses are in good condition. Soft or brittle hoses and belts that display cracks, glazing, or missing ribs (on serpentine belts) need to be replaced. Finally, have a cooling system checkup, including a protection check (-30 degrees is ideal), and pressure test for leaks. If you can't remember the last time you had the cooling system flushed, it's due!
* Replace any torn protective rubber boots in the steering, suspension, and drivetrain. Torn boots allow road salt, dirt, and grit to contaminate the components. Loss of lubrication, increase in friction/heat, and ultimate failure of the components usually follows close behind.
* Check tire condition! This is a no-brainer! Make sure the tires have adequate tread and proper air pressure. The tread is absolutely necessary for traction on wet and snow covered roadways.
* Wash the exterior and undercarriage of your car weekly to keep it clean of road salt. SALT + WATER+ METAL = RUST (alternative definition of rust: the eating away of your dollars). If you're going to keep the car for a long period of time (five years or more) consider a rust protection service on the vehicle. I highly recommend the CarWell method. Check 'em out online at www.carwell.com or call (716) 896-1677. Finally, get a fresh coat of wax on the car to protect the paint!
Some common winter-related problems and how to avoid them.
* Frozen gas lines: Ice forms inside the gas lines from condensation buildup. To avoid this, keep your gas tank at least half full at all times. Also, use gas line antifreeze with isopropyl at least twice a week during extremely cold weather if you drive a lot. It's compatible with today's computer controls and fuel injection systems.
* Frozen windshield wipers: Often, snow and ice settle at the base of the windshield, binding the wiper blades. Some people think they can release the wipers and clear the windshield by turning on the wiper motor. Don't do it! The wiper system is not designed for heavy work. That is why they are called wiper blades, not wiper plows! A list of potential consequences of overtaxing the wiper system:
* burning up the wiper motor
* stripping out the wiper arms
* damaging the wiper transmission
* overheating the wiper motor wiring harness, causing an electrical short or fire
* Frozen door locks and windows: The window in your door has a rubber gasket at its base to prevent water from travelling down into the door. Unfortunately, on most cars this gasket is either rotted away or maladjusted. If water gets down into the door, it will freeze the lock linkage and window regulators. The only fix is to either replace or adjust the gasket. Forcing frozen windows and locks will result in damage to parts and major repairs, relieving you of hard-earned money. Lock de-icer is designed to defrost the keyhole, not the inside of the door!
* A word about diesel powered vehicles: When subjected to extreme cold, diesel fuel turns to the consistency of "Jell-O," making it harder to flow.
To assure start-up of a diesel powered vehicle in cold temperatures:
* Install an engine block or oil dipstick heater to keep the oil warm.
* Use a cold weather fuel conditioner (stabilizer) to keep the fuel in a liquid state.
* Install a battery blanket on the batteries.
Now you're ready to conquer uncharted lands to the north!
'Til next time...Keep Rollin'
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 With over 27 years in the automotive industry and nearly a decade in automotive talk radio, Tom Torbjornsen makes learning about cars easy with his personal manner, his expert advice, and his high energy and entertaining style. Tom has the unique gift of simplifying the complex and tearing down the technical, meeting you at your level of understanding. You will be encouraged as you gain the confidence to deal with problems related to the second most expensive purchase you will make in a lifetime your automobile.
Email Tom
Click here to visit the America's Car Show website
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