---

The Key to Keeping Your Car Running Through the Winter is to Prepare it

29 September 1999

The Key to Keeping Your Car Running Through the Winter is to Prepare it Thoroughly During the Autumn Months; Murray's Discount Auto Stores Offers The Latest in Technology for Electrical System Check Ups Free

    BELLEVILLE, Mich., Sept. 28 -- The nip in the air tells
motorists two things -- autumn is here and winter is coming!  Motorists should
never let the upcoming winter weather keep them snowbound.  Get your vehicle
prepared now to avoid being sorry later.  Be sure that all of the four
necessary areas are checked -- exterior, interior, under the hood and under
the car.  Here are a variety of helpful tips and specialty items from Greg
Jones, Director of Training at Murray's Discount Auto Stores, that will keep
cars winterized against the cold, snow and ice.
    Remember that now is the time to wax the car for winter, as well as to
check all vehicle fluids, tires, belts and hoses to ensure winter readiness.
Also, tune up the vehicle to avoid maintenance by replacing caps, wires, spark
plugs, engine filters and PCV valves.  Also, according to Jones, motorists
should consider these important specialty items, some for preventative
measures, some for maintenance:

    *  According to industry reports, up to 25% of wiper blades are worn to
the point of being a driving hazard.  They should be checked;
    *  As weather cools, most engine damage is done at start-up; synthetic oil
is highly recommended because it is able to lubricate the engine components
faster;
    *  Battery Jump Start Units -- portable, pre-charged, ready to use, holds
charge for three months;
    *  Exterior treatment -- use the right washes and waxes to maximize
protection for the vehicle against the coming winter weather elements;
    *  Interior treatment -- treat the interior with protection against the
chemicals, dirt and snow brought in from outside;
    *  Fix-A-Flat -- screw into valve stem and it inflates tire temporarily to
allow travel to service station;
    *  Emergency Road Kit -- includes many items, including jumper cables,
fix-a-flats, battery chargers, etc. that every vehicle should possess in the
winter in case of an emergency.

    These specialty emergency items and tips work to keep vehicles running in
the face of unpredictable winter weather.  It could save motorists hundreds of
dollars in winter car repair bills and even their lives.
    One of the vital areas to be checked is the electrical system, which is
responsible for countless numbers of breakdowns throughout the year.  This is
because, according to Jones, as temperature goes down, a vehicle's need for
power increases, but the available battery power decreases.  Murray's provides
free testing of battery/starting/charging systems with the new PowerSensor
Micro 500 Analyzer, and its unique patented conductance technology.
    "The Micro 500 Analyzer offers customers the fastest and most complete
analysis of the electrical system:  battery, starter and charging system,"
said Jones.  "It's thought of as 'Electrical System First Aid.'  Customers
will get an extremely precise diagnosis the day they check it as to if their
electrical system will last throughout the season, or if it will fail."