For you smart folks, Healy has a list of suggestions that you can do ''to protect your vehicle and have it start reliably even the coldest of mornings.'' While he of course most familiar with GM's products, his suggestions apply just as well to cars of any brand from any country:
- Watch the oil. ''The largest source of friction when starting a cold engine is from the oil,'' says Healy, so change your oil and filter according to the Owner's Manual Maintenance Schedule or the Oil Life Monitoring System if your GM vehicle is equipped with it. Ensure you have the right viscosity for the season.
- Maintain the battery. ''Just like you,'' explains Healy, ''a battery doesn't like to be too cold. Even a fully charged battery will start to freeze as the temperature approaches -40oC.'' So battery terminals need to be cleaned and free of corrosion. Lastly, as a battery ages, it's capacity to hold a charge decreases. If your battery is three to five years old and showing signs of aging, Healy suggests you should consider getting a new one.
- Change your spark plugs. Healy suggests that you always follow the owner's manual maintenance schedule and use the recommended type and grade of spark plug.
- Top up the windshield-washer fluid at least once a week and use a product recommended for cold weather.
- ''Your wiper blades take a beating in the winter,'' Healy says, and ice can build up quickly and slush on the window can reduce visibility. So ''good blades suitable for the winter are a necessity.''
- The oil companies do a good job adjusting gasoline properties for cold starting, says Healy, and it's a good practice to keep the tank at least half full for this reason and to help avoid water condensation. Also, adding fuel line antifreeze during extended periods of cold weather can avoid ''freeze-ups''.
- ''Save your skiing for the slopes,'' suggests Healy, by using competent tires. ''Your tires must have a safe tread depth and be inflated to the correct pressure,'' Healy says. ''Cold temperatures can reduce tire pressure dramatically,'' so read the manual to see what you should be running and take a few minutes to maintain the tire pressure when you get gas. As for the type of tires you should be using, Healy notes that winter conditions require tires rated "M+S" for mud and snow.
- Use your garage in the winter if you have one, since it will provide shelter and a bit of warmth to make starting easier. Plus, you don't have to scrape the windows.
- If your vehicle has a block heater, use it along with a timer. ''Leaving it on all night isn't necessary and wastes energy,'' Healy advises. Set it to turn on 1.5 to two hours before you leave. ''Your engine will start much easier and the electrical cost will be offset by the increase in fuel economy from a semi-warm engine.'' Turn off all accessories, such as radio and the heater, before you attempt to turn your car on. Once the vehicle is started, Healy notes, you can immediately turn accessories back on.
- Take your time, Healy suggests, since ''everything moves slower when it's cold, especially traffic. ''Leave early if you can, and don't try to make your commute time the same as in the summer. It's better to arrive a little late than not at all.''
- By way of a closing commercial in exchange for all of his good advice, Healy suggests that you ''ensure your car has received a winter tune up from a Goodwrench Specialist,'' and that's not a bad idea. It also applies to any other brand, which Healy's service department colleagues would be glad to help. Healy further suggests that you follow the semi-annual schedule GM recommends in its owners manual for inspection of items such as the restraint system, wiper blade check, weatherstrip lubrication, and hydraulic clutch system check.
- Finally, Healy recommends that drivers should carry an emergency kit in their vehicle at all times to keep them safe while on the road. This should include such things as a blanket and extra clothes, non-perishable food and non-alcoholic beverages, a first aid kit, flares, a shovel, and a beeswax candle with matches. The candle can supply a surprising about of heat inside a car, and save you from having to use any fuel to stay warm.