Cold Enough For You?

Jan. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Most people think that if they winterize their cars in the fall, before it gets
really cold, they will make it through the winter without problems.  And they
are mostly right.  Others think that if they haven’t had a problem yet, they
won’t have one for the rest of the winter.  

Difficulty starting?  A cold engine is a stiff engine -- it is hard to get the
pistons moving, to draw in the fuel, and get started.  So it needs more
battery power.  In cold weather, your battery may produce only 40% of the
power it produces in warm weather, so give it a break -- use a block heater.  
A block heater, with a timer to turn it on a couple of hours before you need your car, will make starting much easier.  Starting warm can save you money on gas, too!
Take a look at your battery terminals.  Is there any white deposit on them?  That corrosion can insulate the terminals and prevent the battery giving your car its first boost of power in the morning to get it going.  If your battery is getting a little elderly, you may not get a second chance. It can take up to 40,000 volts to zap a spark into your cylinders.  If the ignition wires are worn or cracked, some of that power may not make it, and you could have starting troubles -- especially in damp weather.

Another tip -- keep your gas tank at least half full.  That limits any condensation in the tank, so you are less likely to get gas line freezing.  Add a little gas line antifreeze every second time you fill up the gas tank just to be sure.

One of the most important things to watch is your cooling system.  There are two things to watch:  the concentration of coolant, and the amount.  In most parts of Canada, a 50/50 mix of coolant and water keeps the coolant from freezing, lubricates the water pump, and protects the cooling system from corrosion.  In very cold areas, it may be necessary to increase the concentration of coolant -- but never more than 70% coolant to 30% water.  
But if you are like most Canadians, you are more concerned about heating than cooling at this time of year.  The only heat you get is from the engine, which is why your heater blows cold when you first start your vehicle (before the engine warms up).  If your coolant is low, your heater is the first thing to suffer, so keep your antifreeze topped up.

You may also hear a squealing noise (audible over your own teeth chattering) from the heater fan.  That could indicate a worn bearing in the fan motor, which will probably seize up on you when you need it most.

If you travel or commute, it is worth taking a little extra time to make sure you have an emergency kit in the
trunk.  

Winter additions to the usual emergency kit include the following:
• good scraper & snow brush
• blanket, hats, & mittens
• matches and candles  
• canned fruit/nuts/survival rations
• can opener
• tin cup
• traction mats
• small shovel
• red cloth (help signal) or a call police sign  
• jumper cables
Winter check-up?  It is never too late.

Fidelity Automotive Solutions
www.fidelityautomotivesolutions.com

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Fidelity Automotive Solutions is here to help protect you from the high cost of auto repairs. We are the preferred agent for several of the largest vehicle service plan administrators nationwide.