Tips From Jiffy Lube: Is Your Car Ready For Winter?

Tips from Jiffy Lube get you and your car ready for the colder weather

HOUSTON, Dec. 11 -- As the days get shorter and cold weather approaches much of the country, a few thoughts from the automotive maintenance experts at Jiffy Lube(R) can help you prepare your car for long winter months:

  * Make sure your car's battery will perform in winter temperatures.  An
    outdated battery is not as reliable to start your car on a frigid day.
    On average, a car battery will last about four or five years.  If yours
    is more than two years old, have it tested to see if it will withstand
    the cold.  According to the American Automobile Association, a battery
    loses 35 percent of its power at 32 F and 60 percent of its power at
    zero F.  To minimize the strain on your battery, start the car with the
    heater, lights and window defrosters turned off.
  * Make sure all tires are properly inflated and have adequate tread depth
    to help ensure maximum traction on slippery roads.  The Car Care Council
    recently reported that 54 percent of vehicles had improperly inflated
    tires.  Another reason to maintain proper tire pressure, according to
    the AAA, is to provide as much cushion as possible between potholes and
    the rim of the tire.  This measure will help lessen the likelihood of
    wheel alignment damage from potholes.
  * Make sure you have enough fresh antifreeze and washer fluid.  Check
    wiper blades to make sure they glide smoothly across the windshield and
    do not leave streaks or blind spots.  Wiper blades that show no
    noticeable wear and tear can be cleaned with a mild ammonia-based
    cleaner.
  * Replace vital fluids such as motor oil, differential fluid and
    transmission fluid according to your manufacturer's recommendations.
    Determine whether your driving habits necessitate more frequent oil
    changes as determined in your vehicle owner's manual.  Your local Jiffy
    Lube service center can tell you if Quaker State(R) Winter Synthetic
    Blend motor oil, available in colder climates from now through February,
    is right for your car.
  * Check how your brakes respond.  If you hear squealing or chattering or
    the pedal pulsates when you press down on it, have a professional check
    the brakes.
  * A properly packed emergency kit is essential during the winter.  Make
    sure to have a flashlight, extra batteries, water, flares, blankets,
    shovel, snow brush, ice scraper and tire chains (some areas do not allow
    tire chains -- check your local regulations).  A can of Fix-A-Flat(R),
    an aerosol product that instantly inflates and seals a flat tire, can
    rescue you from minor punctures and have you quickly out of the cold and
    safely back on the road.
  * Keep some kitty litter or sand in the trunk -- spreading it under your
    tires will give you more traction if you get stuck in deep snow or on an
    ice patch.  Have wire and cloth on hand in case you need to patch a
    leaking hose in order to make it to the nearest service center.

Jiffy Lube(R), with more than 2,200 service centers in North America, serves approximately 30 million customers each year. Jiffy Lube(R) pioneered the fast oil change industry in 1979 by establishing the first drive-through service bay, providing customers with faster professional service for their vehicles. Visit www.jiffylube.com to learn more about Jiffy Lube and vehicle care.