THE COMMUNITY CRIER: October 23,1996 Page 15 ............................ M , , P rotect you r car w ith fall m ain ten an ce BY RACHEL RAZGUNAS As the cool fall days turn to blustery winter weather, there are preparations we all must make. One of them is car maintenance. break.” When looking over your belts and hoses, check for cracks and glazing. Belts and hoses should be a dull color, not too shiny. Before the snow begins to fall, certain measures must be taken to protect our safety and vehicles. Check around the connection of the hoses for seepage or any staining resulting from a slow leak. The hose itself should be pliable; not too stiff or spongy.
Either condition could lead to a failure. One of the most simple, but important procedures is checking your antifreeze. You want to make sure your antifreeze is within the freezing point, which is about 30 degrees below zero. Look over your belts to make certain the alternator is charging properly and the battery is in a condition to last the cold season. “It works its best at a 50-50 solution with water,” said Chris Arden of Arden’s Auto Service Center in Plymouth. “It protects the engine more and is actually more efficient than 100 percent antifreeze or 100 percent water.” In order to make it comfortably through the winter, your heater should be providing efficient heat output and defrost.
If the heater and defrost in your vehicle isn’t clearing the windows when it’s frosty out, it could cause an accident. If you go into the winter with weak antifreeze it could freeze and crack your engine block, virtually destroying the engine. It’s also important to check the level of your antifreeze corrosion inhibitors, making sure the interior of the cooling system is protected against rust and corrosion. When parking your car, try not to place it into the wind. ‘You don’t want to park your motor facing the wind because you’ll get cold air blowing in it,” said Morris.
“Fuel injected cars start getting a fuel line freeze up or the relays don’t want to work because it gets so cold.” The damage to belts and hoses is also a greater problem during the winter months. Cracked belts or hoses could lead to failure — and a cold walk down the side of the freeway to the nearest service station. Remember to protect your car’s paint job with a good cleaning and waxing before the salt, snow and wet weather affects the finish. If your car has clear coat, it’s wise to use a brand of wax specifically designed for the finish. This will protect the car and keep the paint looking shiny and new.
According to Mike Morris of Mel’s Auto Clinic in Canton, that can be prevented with a little protective maintenance. “If you have a cracked hose or a cracked belt, when it heats up it’ll expand, when it cools down it’ll contract,” he said. “So you take a cracked piece of rubber that’s heating and expanding and shrinking as it contracts, eventually it’s going to crack or It’s always a good idea to have provisions in the car in case you get stuck in a snow storm. “With my family, I try to make sure they have scrapers, an emergency kit with flashlights and a blanket or two in the car,” said Arden. ..
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