NAPA Encourages Drivers to Winterize Their Vehicle Before Beginning Holiday Travel
ATLANTA--According to the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, an estimated 91 percent of travelers will pack up the car and hit the freeway for their destinations this holiday season. NAPA AUTO PARTS recommends motorists winterize their vehicles before beginning their holiday travel.
“Winterizing your vehicle is one of the most important things motorists can do before they hit the road for holiday travel, “said Kit Johnson, 2007 NAPA Technician of the Year. “Not only is a well-maintained, winterized vehicle safer for the driver and their passengers, it is also more efficient and reliable during harsh winter driving conditions.”
NAPA AUTO PARTS recommends some preventive maintenance tips in order to be more prepared for the upcoming holiday travel season.
A lot of winter driving includes operating your vehicle on snowy or icy road conditions. Motorists should check tires for worn spots and make sure the tires are still aligned. Checking the tire pressure (including the spare) once a month and rotating tires every 6,000 miles will also extend tire life. Periodic checking of tires will prevent excess wear, deliver the most mileage out of your tires and save on fuel consumption.
Motorists should also inspect their car battery once a quarter. Drivers can extend the life of their batteries by cleaning the terminals to prevent corrosion. NAPA AUTO PARTS Stores carry brushes that make cleaning fairly easy for drivers.
Roughly every 30,000 miles, drivers should have the vehicle’s cooling system completely flushed and refilled with an antifreeze-water mixture. The antifreeze-water mixture maintains a safe temperature for your vehicle in addition to protecting important parts from corrosion and deterioration. Fluid levels should also be checked monthly including coolant reservoir, power steering, brake, radiator and battery fluids.
Vehicle brakes should be professionally inspected every 20,000 miles to ensure the safest driving conditions for the driver and passengers. “If drivers begin to experience a pull, vibration or a squealing and grinding noise when brakes are applied, the car should be serviced immediately to prevent costly and dangerous brake complications,” said Johnson.
In order to prevent engine deterioration, it is important to check the level of the oil every two weeks and to have it changed every 3,000 miles or according to the owner’s manual. Also, if changing yourself, make sure the oil is the recommended grade for the car.
Winter nights are the worst time for drivers to realize they have a burnt out light, a nonfunctioning horn or worn wiper blades. Check to make sure all lights including head, tail and brake lights and turn signals are properly functioning as well as giving the horn a honk to ensure it’s available when needed. Windshield wiper blades are also important to periodically check to avoid potential visionary problems.
“Realizing a vehicle maintenance complication at any time is difficult, but can be especially challenging during winter months,” said Johnson. “By following these winterizing maintenance tips, motorists will be prepared for winter’s harshest driving conditions.”
NAPA AutoCare Centers offer a preventive maintenance program that includes a complete inspection and regular monitoring of vehicle systems. Consumers can learn more about this program by contacting their local NAPA AutoCare Center.
About NAPA AUTO PARTS
NAPA AUTO PARTS distributes parts, accessories, tools and equipment to 6,000 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores and 13,000 NAPA AutoCare Centers nationwide. For more information about NAPA, visit www.NAPAonline.com or www.NAPAAutoCare.com.