Winterizing

Making sure your vehicle is ready for the winter season is important, as cold temperatures only magnify existing problems. Here are a few things you should do before winter sets in:

• Check the antifreeze; antifreeze should be flushed and refilled every two years or as recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle. Refer to your owner's manual for the specific intervals for your vehicle.
• Did you know that heat greatly reduces battery life and that cold temperatures greatly reduce a battery's capacity? A fully charged battery has only 65% of it's cranking power at 0 degrees centigrade. So checking the charging system (battery, alternator, voltage regulator) is very important because you do not want to get stranded one cold winter morning.
• Check all belts and hoses.
• Check your heater and defroster to ensure they are working properly.
• Make sure that you have winter windshield antifreeze and not water in your wiper fluid reservoir.
• Replace wiper blades if they have not been changed in the past 6 months or check them to see if they're worn. A worn wiper blade leaves streaks or squeaks while in use. You may also want to consider special winter wiper blades.
• Check your tire depth and pressure to make sure they are safe for the upcoming winter months. You may want to consider winter tires, as they will provide better traction in snow and on ice.
• Check the exhaust, brake and suspension systems to ensure they're in good working order.
• Check all exterior lights.

Speedy Auto Service has a four comprehensive oil, lube, filter and car care check-up services designed to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Check out are complete line-up of Maximizer services.

Winter Tips:

When starting your engine in cold weather keep your foot off the accelerator and let the engine controls make the necessary adjustments. Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving, as this will allow the oil to circulate.

If your engine doesn't start after 15 seconds, let it sit for 15 seconds before trying again. If it does not start after 3 or 4 tries it probably won't start and of you keep trying you may damage your battery.

If your engine is flooded, press the accelerator to the floor and turn the ignition for about 20 seconds or until the engine starts. If it starts don't race the engine let it idle for approximately 30 seconds to clear the excess gas.

Being prepared for an emergency is always a good idea. You should have an ice-scrapper, windshield de-icier, flashlight, blanket, candle / matches, non-perishable snacks and a first-aid kit stored in your vehicle, especially when going on a long trip.