A little maintenance can go a long way towards safe and worry-free cold-weather traveling
Sadly, the time has come to close up the camp, put away the motorbike, and drag the kids sweaters and boots of storage for another few months of cold weather.
With the change of season comes work around the house and camp to ready for the cold months ahead, but it's important not to forget your vehicle- as your family relies on its proper operation for safe and reliable transportation 365 days a year.
Winter poses numerous challenges for drivers to be aware of, and a properly maintained and readied car will be up for the challenge.
Cold weather is hard on your engine and transmission and can cause any vehicles fuel economy to go down the tubes. If your powerplant isn't already running at its finest, the cold will only make problems worse and can cause your mileage to suffer excessively. And remember, a thirty-below day is an unfortunate time when un-maintained parts are most likely to show themselves.
Power from your engine is delivered to the road through a complicated transmission, differential(s), and / or a transfer case, depending on the type of vehicle you drive. These components require fresh, clean fluids to work properly and provide optimal protection. If you've been putting off that differential or transfer case fluid change all summer, make sure to have it performed before the snow flies. Check your owner's manual for details.
Coolant is especially important when temperatures dip below zero, and you'll want to have it checked to ensure it won't freeze when the mercury gets low. If that happens, catastrophic engine problems could result, as coolant contains water which expands when it freezes. This can damage or destroy internal engine components.
Don't take fluids lightly- they could mean the difference between starting or not on that frigid morning when you're running late. The average lube-shop can change all of your cars vital fluids on your lunch break. It's peace of mind that's hard to put a price on.
If you're like many drivers, you probably cringe when driving behind a plow truck, especially when you can hear excessively applied rock-salt pinging against the floor of your machine. Combined with moisture and sand found on wintertime roadways, this corrosive spray can quickly eat away at your vehicles body and frame, resulting in expensive repairs.
Protection is available by means of a rust-blocker treatment, which is applied onto the underbody of your car and into its body panels to form a barrier against moisture and salt. It can reduce or eliminate the effects of rust, and takes about an hour to apply at a cost of about $100 to $200- depending on your vehicle.
Treatments are best made on vehicles when they are new, but check with your dealership first, as it can void parts of your warranty. There is generally no best time of the year to apply the treatment either.
Sadly, the time has come to close up the camp, put away the motorbike, and drag the kids sweaters and boots of storage for another few months of cold weather.
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With the change of season comes work around the house and camp to ready for the cold months ahead, but it's important not to forget your vehicle- as your family relies on its proper operation for safe and reliable transportation 365 days a year.
Winter poses numerous challenges for drivers to be aware of, and a properly maintained and readied car will be up for the challenge.
Cold weather is hard on your engine and transmission and can cause any vehicles fuel economy to go down the tubes. If your powerplant isn't already running at its finest, the cold will only make problems worse and can cause your mileage to suffer excessively. And remember, a thirty-below day is an unfortunate time when un-maintained parts are most likely to show themselves.
Power from your engine is delivered to the road through a complicated transmission, differential(s), and / or a transfer case, depending on the type of vehicle you drive. These components require fresh, clean fluids to work properly and provide optimal protection. If you've been putting off that differential or transfer case fluid change all summer, make sure to have it performed before the snow flies. Check your owner's manual for details.
Coolant is especially important when temperatures dip below zero, and you'll want to have it checked to ensure it won't freeze when the mercury gets low. If that happens, catastrophic engine problems could result, as coolant contains water which expands when it freezes. This can damage or destroy internal engine components.
Don't take fluids lightly- they could mean the difference between starting or not on that frigid morning when you're running late. The average lube-shop can change all of your cars vital fluids on your lunch break. It's peace of mind that's hard to put a price on.
If you're like many drivers, you probably cringe when driving behind a plow truck, especially when you can hear excessively applied rock-salt pinging against the floor of your machine. Combined with moisture and sand found on wintertime roadways, this corrosive spray can quickly eat away at your vehicles body and frame, resulting in expensive repairs.
Protection is available by means of a rust-blocker treatment, which is applied onto the underbody of your car and into its body panels to form a barrier against moisture and salt. It can reduce or eliminate the effects of rust, and takes about an hour to apply at a cost of about $100 to $200- depending on your vehicle.
Treatments are best made on vehicles when they are new, but check with your dealership first, as it can void parts of your warranty. There is generally no best time of the year to apply the treatment either.