The Car Care Council

TAKE THE SCARE OUT OF WINTER DRIVING


When the weather outside is frightful, a little advance preparation will take the scare out of winter driving, says the Car Care Council. A few preventive vehicle maintenance steps will keep you from being stranded in severe winter weather.

“The thought of a breakdown, an engine not starting or otherwise being stranded is scary as it is, but those things happening in freezing winter weather adds another level of fear,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “An investment of an hour or so to have your vehicle checked will pay off and help make sure your winter driving is less frightful and more delightful.”

The Car Care Council recommends the following steps for winterizing your vehicle:

• Check the battery and charging system for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.
  
  
  
• Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.
  
  
  
• Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. Typically, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.
  
  
  
• If you’re due for a tune-up have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.
  
  
  
• Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.
  
  
  
• Check the brakes. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety component.
  
  
  
• Inspect the exhaust system for carbon monoxide leaks which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.
  
  
  
• Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.
  
  
  
• Be diligent about changing the oil at recommended intervals as dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to “winter weight” oil if you live in a cold climate. Check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.
  

Motorists should also keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing. Drivers should check the tire pressure of the spare in the trunk and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snow brush, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, blanket, extra clothes, candles/matches, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers.



A BRIGHT IDEA: CHECK YOUR VEHICLE’S LIGHTS AND WIPERS

It’s a bright idea to make sure your vehicle’s lights and wipers are working properly so you can be seen by others and your visibility is not compromised, advises the Car Care Council.

“Lights and wipers play a critical role in safe driving as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “From the driver’s seat you may not notice a light that isn’t working so inspect all of your car’s lights and replace those that are out. Also, inspect and replace wiper blades so you can see clearly when wet weather hits.”

Lights are normal wear items that require periodic inspection and replacement. The lighting system provides nighttime visibility, signals and alerts other drivers, and supplies light for viewing instruments and the vehicle’s interior. In addition to replacing dimming, rapidly blinking and non-functioning lights, the following tips can help keep you safe:

• Keep headlights, tail lights and signal lights clean. External dirt and debris can dim operational lights from being seen by others.
  
  
  
• Make sure that your headlights are properly aimed. Misaimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road.
  
  
  
• Don’t overdrive your headlights. You should be able to stop inside the illuminated area otherwise you are creating a blind crash area in front of your vehicle.
  
  
  
• If there is any doubt on whether or not your headlights should be on turn them on. Lights not only help you see better in early twilight. They also make it easier for other drivers to see you.
  

The wiper system keeps excessive water, snow and dirt from building up on the windshield maintaining clear visibility. Many factors can accelerate the replacement interval of wipers including operating conditions, frequency of use, material and type of wipers and sunny weather. Winters are tough on wiper blades. However, wiper blades can deteriorate faster and need more frequent replacement in desert states.



AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE TIPS

When to Choose (and How to Use) an Electrical Parts Cleaner, Electronics Cleaner and Di-Electric Grease

by Mark Salem, Automotive Master Technician for CRC Industries

If you’re working on an alternator with an internal regulator, once you have the alternator apart, you'll need an aggressive but safe Electrical Parts Cleaner that will remove years of road grime, grease and flux. Electrical Parts Cleaner is also used to clean parts of larger electrical items like grinder motors, buffers and battery chargers. This aggressive cleaner is NOT to be used with sensitive electronics.

If you’re working on a 12v wire harness that has a male/female round pin or flat blade plug or connector, as you pull the plug apart you may wonder... How am I going to clean all these pins and small round male caverns? You will need an Electronics Cleaner or Contact Cleaner that cleans and protects sensitive electronic equipment, helps prevent contact failure, is safe on plastic parts, leaves no residue and dries fast. Try CRC QD® Electronic Cleaner.

So remember, Electrical Parts Cleaner and Electronics Cleaner are not the same product and are actually used for very different tasks and purposes.

Now that everything is clean, what should we use to ensure our repairs are long lasting, top quality repairs? You will need Di-Electric Grease Get CRC Technician Grade Di-Electric Grease. It has the consistency of petroleum jelly and often comes in a tube. I always keep a tube in my shop at work and at home.

Years ago when engines were running at 180°F, we had no problem removing the spark plug wire boots. You twisted them left and right and they came right off. Plug wires back then were maybe $6-$18 each. Later, around 1981, we found out that if we ran the engines at 220°F they would run better, longer, and we could improve the fuel economy. But, we could no longer twist the spark plug wire boot because it was baked to the plug. It would come off in pieces, and today those wires cost a lot more.

So, we learned how to squeeze about a ½ inch of Di-Electric Grease inside the new spark plug boot. Di-Electric Grease also seals that connection from moisture and water. It ensures a good connection between the wire and the plug. This helps the next guy remove the boots without tearing them up.

At my shop we use Di-Electric Grease on ALL secondary ignition parts like distributor caps, both ends of the plug wire and coil connections. We use Di-Electric Grease for bulbs and sockets and any and all male/female connections like the ones on your trailer. We use Di-Electric Grease so we know that all electrical connections are lubed, sealed and have the best connectivity possible.

I recently had to rewire a fuse panel on a tractor. I used CRC Lectra-Motive® Electric Parts Cleaner to clean up the fuse panel and related parts and brackets. I used CRC QD® Electronic Cleaner to clean the plastic fuses and their male blades. I then used CRC Di-Electric Grease on every connection. Remember: water and exposed electrical connections = corrosion!

You can spend hours with brushes and solvents scrubbing cases and armatures, then do the same with soap and water to remove the residue. AND you can spend hours with small files, emery cloth and toothpicks trying to clean small electrical connectors. Or you can do it my way.

About Mark Salem:

Mark Salem has owned and operated Salem Boys Auto in Tempe, Arizona since 1979. He is an ASE Master Tech since 1991 and has achieved L-1 certification for advanced engine performance. Mark is widely recognized and respected as an expert in his field and has been giving car repair advice on radio and TV since 1987.