Mechanics urge winterizing vehicles before cold sets in

Temperatures have already reached the upper 30s in some Southeast Missouri communities, and area automobile experts say now is the time to ensure vehicles will run properly in the winter.

Procrastination could cost motorists unnecessary repairs and raise the possibility of being stranded on the roadway in subfreezing conditions.

"There's a few out there that when you tell them they need to winterize their car they say they can't afford it," said Roy White, owner of Roy's Tire and Auto in Jackson. "Those people will say that they'll get around to it and those preparations are put on the back burner. Then one day it's a cold, snowy evening, their car breaks down and they wished they would have winterized their vehicle."

The National Weather Service predicts the winter will be warmer and dryer than normal while the Farmers Almanac 2010 edition says the area will experience frigid, snowy conditions. From December 2008 to February 2009, Cape Girardeau saw 83 days in which temperatures were at or below 32 degrees and recorded about 7.5 inches of snow, ice or sleet.

Of the 30 million calls AAA responds to each year, about 10 million occur in the winter, spokesman Mike Right said. He said most of the winter calls could be eliminated if people prepared before cold weather arrives.

Right recommends motorists have an emergency roadside kit in their vehicles. The kit includes drinking water, a bag of sand for traction, windshield scraper, blankets and a flashlight with extra batteries.

He also suggested keeping tires properly inflated, adding that cold weather can reduce tire pressure.

"You don't want tires to run underinflated," Right said. "One, it robs of the vehicle of fuel economy. Two, it encourages a blowout or unnecessary wear."

He said keeping a set of snow tires or chains can be helpful when encountering icy or snowy roads.

Steve Worley, owner of Budget Auto Repair in Cape Girardeau, advised motorists to have a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze to protect against freezing.

Other tips include changing the oil every 3,000 miles, testing the battery, checking belts and hoses, considering snow blades when changing wiper blades and making sure the heater and defroster are working properly.

The not-for-profit National Safety Council advises cleaning exhaust pipes to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning if a stranded driver has to run the engine periodically to stay warm.

"When winter comes, it can put extra strain on your vehicle, and if things are not taken care of ahead of time, you could have some serious problems," Worley said. "The best solution to this problem is to prepare ahead of time so you won't be out of a lot of money later or stranded on the side of the road."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent addresses:

408 E. Jackson Blvd., Jackson, MO

1401 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO