AutoZone Pushing Winter Checkups

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--AutoZone has issued a nationwide press release encouraging local media stories on the benefits of winter checkups for automobiles.

“Studies show three out of four vehicles on the road are vulnerable to wintertime damage,” the company reports.

“Unfortunately, most vehicle owners don’t realize how damaging last summer’s heat was to their vehicles. After months left unchecked, antifreeze loses its effectiveness, belts and hoses dry out and seasonal temperature changes can make moisture collect in the fuel system,” the release warns.

“Don’t let this warm autumn fool you,” says Lesley Hartney, AutoZone’s vice president of communications and training. “The first big winter blast is right around the corner, and motorists don’t need to be caught off guard.”

Ther company lists five steps drivers can take to prepare their cars for the colder temperatures:

1. Flush and refill your radiator with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze andwater.

2. Check your belts and hoses for signs of wear. Squeeze radiator and heater hoses to make sure they’re firm yet flexible, and replace any hose that feels mushy or brittle. Also, check the underside of all belts and replace any that are cracked.

3. Use a fuel system dryer to prevent moisture from freezing in your fuel line.

4. Replace your radiator cap and thermostat every three years or 50,000 miles.

5. Check your windshield wiper blades for cracking. Dry, hot summers break down the rubber strips in your wiper blades, but they can be easily replaced.

AutoZone has 2,915 stores in 42 states plus the District of Columbia, and 13 stores in Mexico. It also sells heavy-duty truck parts through 49 TruckPro stores in 15 states, and automotive diagnostic and repair software through ALLDATA and diagnostic and repair information through www.alldatadiy.com.

For more information, contact www.autozone.com.