Once September is here, it is only a matter of time before the real cold weather of winter follows! 

 

Now is the time to plan when your budget will allow you to winterize your vehicle. 

 

Going into the cold weather, you will want to make sure your battery has a lot of life to it, your alternator is in good condition, your brakes are in proper working order and we'll check your tires too, even though we do not sell them.

 

Pack an Emergency Kit in Your Vehicle:  blanket, flares, jumper cables, flashlight w/extra batteries, etc.

 

 

 

Oct 12, 2009 Roger Leo, Executive Editor 

 

Rule No. 1 for driving in snow and ice is simple: Drive more slowly.

 

Other tips include keeping a greater distance from the car ahead, start slowing sooner

for stops and turns, check traction periodically by tapping the brakes, and stay aware of

conditions outside the car.Is the temperature falling? Are conditions right for moisture

in the air to condense and freeze on road surfaces, forming black ice that is slick but

nearly invisible?

 

A car traveling 55 mph covers 81 feet per second. Distance between vehicles should

double in marginal conditions, from one car length for every 10 mph of speed to two or

three car lengths depending on just how bad conditions are. For example, on snow and

ice, cars traveling 40 mph should be eight-to-12 car lengths apart.If a car starts to slide

when the brakes are applied, stop braking immediately, and apply the brakes again, but

more slowly.Steer into skids - which means if your car is sliding to the right, turn the

wheel to the right until you have control, then gently steer back onto the road. Often

there's time to pull off this maneuver; sometimes there isn't.

 

Nobody is born knowing how to drive, and this goes double for driving in slippery

conditions. Safe driving on snow and ice is learned only through practice, and it's often

best to practice on a real driving course where the consequences of a slide are not dire.

Next best place to practice starting, turning, and stopping on snow? A large parking lot,

empty of other vehicles.

 

NPR's Car Talk hosts, Tom and Ray Magliozzi, say, "Even with good coolant, snow tires,

stability control, all-wheel drive, and the bag of Doritos in the trunk, keep in mind that

driving in snow, sleet, and ice is very treacherous. And even if you maintain control of

your car, not everyone else will. So don't ever get lulled into a false sense of security. Do

everything slowly and gently."

 

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Quiz time!  Do you know what the below pictures are of?

HINT:  An EASY way to save your engine...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still wondering?.... keep scrolling.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are viewing official engine "sludge" which resulted in a blown motor! 

 

The oil was not changed on a regular basis as recommended. 

 

Oil should be amber in color and free-flowing, not black and gunked up!  By having your oil changed as recommended (every 3,000 or 5,000 miles) it will always look brand new and retain the amber "pancake syrup looking" color and consistency!

 

 As oil recycles through the engine over and over, it acts as a lubricant to keep all internal engine parts clean, free from debris and in great working order.  If the oil is not changed, it breaks down and burns looking like the above pictures.  As a result, when this bad oil tries to recycle through your engine, it can quickly damage parts and cause very expensive repairs such as the need to replace cracked heads, blown gaskets and more.  Once the damage begins, oil leaks will most likely be created.  If oil starts to leak from your engine and runs out, the engine will immediately seize leaving you stranded and in need of a new engine, which is VERY costly.

 

This is why we stress preventative maintenance, including oil changes, which of course are not costly at all compared to the damage and high costs that "lack of preventative maintenance" can result in.

 

Don't worry... we won't reveal the name of the customer who owned this vehicle, but urge ALL CUSTOMERS to keep up on oil changes!

 

 

 

1.  Make sure you are particularly careful on roads where leaves have accumulated, especially following rain, frost or snow.

 

2.  Be careful not to park where leaves collect.  Although wet leaves can be slippery, dry leaves beneath your car can be ignited by heat from your exhaust system.

 

3.  Budget extra time if you'll be traveling on leaf covered roads.  Also, be patient with motorists driving cautiously.

 

4.  Rain mixed with wet roads and leaves can be very dangerous.  Please be extremely cautious when driving under these conditions.  Make sure your brakes are in good working order, your tires are properly inflated and the tread is good.

 

 

 

 

 

The air filter in your vehicle prevents dust and dirt from entering into the engine.  If the filter becomes clogged or dirty, it will restrict the airflow and reduce engine performance and and fuel economy. 

 

The air filter should be inspected every 7,500 miles.  This is typically done at each oil change.

 

 

Battery power flows to the rest of your vehicle's electrical system through the cables, clamps and terminals.  If these components and connections become loose or corroded, your car won't have the power needed to start the engine and operate other systems.

 

The battery cable, clamps and connections should be checked with every oil change.  If you notice other indications of electrical problems such as slow engine cranking or dimming headlights at an idle, have your repair shop test the charging and starting system.  The battery connections should also be cleaned and tightened as needed.

 

 

Over-inflated tires ride roughly and suffer premature wear at tread center.  Under-inflated tires decrease fuel economy, cause imprecise handling, suffer premature wear at the edges of their tread an dcan overheat and fail at highway speeds.  Tires typically lose about a pound of pressure a month through normal seepage, and they lose or gain another pound of pressure with every 10-degree change in outside temperature.

 

The tire pressure, including the spare,  should be checked at least once a month when the tires are cold.  Always follow the pressure recommendations in your owner's manual, or those on the tire information label in the glove box or on the driver's doorjamb.  Do not use the inflation pressure molded into the tire sidewall.  This is the pressure needed to achieve the tire's rated load capacity and it may or may not be the correct pressure for your particular vehicle.

 

 

Without an adequate supply of clean oil, your engine will wear more rapidly and could even seize and be destroyed.  Oil doesn't freeze like water, but its thickness does increase as the mercury drops.  Lighter grade oils reduce the load on your battery and starter, allowing more rapid cranking and starting.  Lighter oils also reach critical engine lubrication areas much quicker than heavier oils, greatly reducing wear.

 

Your engine oil and oil filter should be changed at the specified intervals in your owner's manual.  Always make sure the weight of the oil recommended by the manufacturer is used.  Keep an eye out for oil leaks beneath your vehicle and have any leaks inspected and corrected.

 

 

Rain, insects and other debris on your windshield will compromise your vision if your wipers cannot remove them.  A supply of the proper washer fluid will help your wipers remove these contaminants effectively.

 

Check your washer fluid reservoir monthly (when you check your tire pressure.)  Check more often if you use your washers frequently.  Top it off with a washer solution formulated to aid in the removal of insects and other debris, and during the winter, use a solution with antifreeze protection.  When checking fluid level, always test washer spray nozzles for proper operation and aim.  If you notice something that does not seem right, have your repair shop inspect and correct if necessary.

 

 

 

 

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Luther's Garage, Inc., 5 White Street, Shelton, CT  06484

203.924.8848

 

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