Fall is Ideal Time to Winterize Your Vehicle

BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 19, 2007; October, the official Fall Car Care Month, is the perfect time of year to pay special attention to your vehicle and get it ready for winter. The Car Care Council recommends the following steps for winterizing your vehicle:

  -- Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general
     rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.

  -- Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter
     wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. As a general rule,
     wiper blades should be replaced every six months.

  -- Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance.
     Cold weather is hard on batteries.

  -- Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a
     problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick
     roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.

  -- Be diligent about changing the oil and filter every 3,000 miles. Dirty
     oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to a "winter weight"
     oil if you live in a cold climate. Have your technician check the fuel,
     air and transmission filters at the same time.

  -- If you're due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter
     magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish
     performance or rough idling.

  -- Have the brakes checked. This braking system is the vehicle's most
     important safety item.

  -- Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be
     especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are
     closed.

  -- Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and that headlights
     are properly aimed.

More than 70 percent of motorists admit that they do not have their cars winterized in preparation for inclement weather, according to a survey conducted by the Car Care Council.

"When the cold temperatures arrive, many people stay inside and don't take proper care of their vehicles," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "Getting the car ready while temperatures are still mild is a proactive approach to preventive maintenance and helps ensure safety and reliability during the upcoming winter months."

Motorists should also keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing. Drivers should check the tire pressure of the spare in the trunk and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, blanket, extra clothes, candles/matches, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication.

As part of Fall Car Care Month, many automotive repair facilities offer free vehicle inspections to make sure your car is ready for the cold weather. Contact your local automotive repair facility to see if they are participating in any fall car care events.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council's Car Care Guide or for more information, visit http://www.carcare.org/.