Cold-weather care will keep vehicles on the road

By Kyle Schmidt

This weekend’s sub-zero temperatures aren’t just rough on people, they also can be hard on cars.

Vehicles require extra care in chilly temperatures and snow. Jes Starke, head technician at Starke and Sons Auto Repair, offered some tips for the cold weather season.

“As far as making sure your vehicle is ready, making sure your tires have tread on them,” Starke said. “Make sure your coolant is good for negative 30 degrees.”

An easy way to check if your tire tread is ready for the road is the penny test. Bridgestone suggests placing a penny with Lincoln’s head facing downwards in the threading of the tire. As long as the tire covers part of the head, the vehicle is set to drive.

Starke said many auto shops offer checks on coolant to make sure your car is ready for the cold.

Other things to keep an eye on are belts in the car and making sure the battery has plenty of charge.

“Usually if your battery is three years old it’s about due to replace it,” Starke said. “The cold weather likes to zap the batteries.”

It is important to check the air pressure in tires as well as cold weather can impact that.

Basic check-ups can help keep your car running for a long time but it is also important to take other precautions to avoid getting stranded.

“If you can, make sure you keep your gas tank full,” Starke said. “Make sure your belt is good. You don’t need your belt breaking and leaving you stranded.”

When starting your car in the extreme cold, Starke said don’t drive off immediately.

“I would wait 10 to 15 minutes so it is well lubricated where it needs to be so you got some heat coming out as well,” he said. “I would, so your oil can get to the places it needs to.”

With diesel engines, drivers should take a final precaution.

“You’re going to want to put a fuel additive in there to keep it from jelling up,” Starke said.