Car Care Council

Help Your Car Through the Cold Months Ahead

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One theme common to many TV commercials is car trouble on a cold winter day. The vehicle is disabled and its owner is stranded. The message, of course, is that such a crisis can be prevented through the use of the sponsor's product, be it a new battery or a cellular phone.

A seldom advertised aspect of preventive maintenance that deserves high marks for helping drivers avoid car trouble costs little or nothing. It's basic knowledge of the systems and components that should be checked and serviced to prevent failure and symptoms that signal pending failure.

Car Care Council says that, while some mechanical failures cannot be anticipated, most are preceded by some visible or audible indicator. One sample: the family that was stranded in snow when the battery went dead because the alternator light remained on due to a slipping drive belt. That predicament easily could have been avoided, first by the periodic inspection of drive belts and, later, by acting on the signal from the instrument panel.

Even if your vehicle is fairly new, use this winter check list. The Council reports four out of five vehicles that go through their inspection lanes need maintenance.

• Engine
  • Tune-up / Check-up
  • Air Filter
  • Oil / Oil Filter
  • Spark Plugs & Ignition Components
  • Emission Control Systems
• Exhaust System
  • Muffler
  • Exhaust Pipes
  • Hangers/Brackets
  • Catalytic Converter
• Visibility
  • Lights, turn signals, front & rear flashers
  • Windshield wiper blades (winter)
  • Windshield Washer Solvent
  • Glass / Mirrors
• Brakes
  • Fluid
  • Pads/Lining
  • Hydraulic System
• Cooling System
  • Belts
  • Hoses
  • Pressure Cap / Thermostat
  • Antifreeze / Coolant
• Electrical System
  • Battery
  • Cables/Connections
  • Charging System
• Appearance
  • Paint condition (scratches, etc.)
  • Interior / Upholstery
• Steering & Suspension
  • Wheel Alignment / Balance
  • Shock Absorbers & Struts
  • Tire Inflation & Condition
• Drive Line
  • Transmission Service
  • C.V. Joints
  • Universal Joints

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For additional tips on preparing one's vehicle for cold weather, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Car Care Council, Dept. W, One Grande Lake Drive, Port Clinton, OH 43452.

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