Oct 2011 - 10 Winter Care Care Tips

It's early morning and terribly cold. Your car door creaks and cracks as it opens. You get into the driver's seat, turn the key..., and nothing. Your car won't start. Fortunately, AMA is on the way. But still, you're going to be late for work, it's cold and uncomfortable and you just want your day to start, like your car. Providing boosts is the number one way AMA Roadside Assistance helps members in the winter. Close on its heels is assisting members who need their vehicle rescued from the side of the road with a winch or tow. We are proud and happy to help you during Alberta's difficult winters, and you can be confident we'll be there when you need us. But it is still annoying for your vehicle to not start when you need to get somewhere. The good news is you can take a few simple steps right now to drastically reduce the chances you'll need a boost on a frigid day.

1. Check oil Oil cleans grit from your engine that would otherwise shorten its life. "Many vehicles require an oil change at the 5,000- or 6,000-kilometre mark," says Randy Loyk, technical services manager with AMA Automotive Services, "but it's all over the map." Your owner's manual will tell you when it's time. Check your oil for winter. 2. Top up coolant Coolant stops a running engine from overheating and, in the cold, from freezing up. Manufacturers' guidelines vary widely, so check your manual, check your levels and top up if necessary.

Top Tip "Change your oil to a winter-grade synthetic. It will help your car start with greater ease in colder temperatures and cause less wear on the engine." Randy Loyk, technical services manager, AMA Automotive Services

3. Test lights As part of regular maintenance, most shops will check headlights, brake lights, driving lights, fog lights and high beams. Since lights are critical in the dark of winter, check them yourself regularly, too. Fix a broken one before its counterpart on the other side gives out. 4. Fix nicks and chips "Cold weather makes a vehicle's body rigid, causing glass to flex," says Loyk. Temperature fluctuations from repeatedly defrosting an icy windshield and entering a heated garage can cause glass to expand and contract, exacerbating chips and cracks. Fix them while they're small. 5. Change to winter tires "Especially for rural driving, we recommend winter tires," Loyk says. If you opt for the added safety that winter tires bring, put them on before the snow starts to fall. 6. Check tire alignment and air pressure Look for a sticker, usually on the driver's side door jamb, to find your vehicle's recommended tire air pressure. Check the pressure in your tires often - it drops with the temperature. Align the wheels when you change tires, or if you notice uneven wear. 7. Switch wiper blades Start the winter season with fresh wipers, opting for winter blades (keep them in top form by scraping your windshield regularly). Drain your wiper fluid reservoir and fill it with the cold-weather variety. 8. Test battery Batteries have a three- to five-year lifespan. Most maintenance packages include a battery test, and some instant lube shops also offer them, Loyk says. If you need to buy a new battery this autumn, look for one with a high cold-cranking amp (CCA) rating. This refers to the number of amps your battery supplies the engine for 30 seconds at -18 C before voltage decreases. 9. Start plugging in Check your block heater and pull your heater cord out. "Start plugging it in at -15 C," says Loyk. Even if your car starts reliably at any temperature, you're accelerating wear on the engine if you don't plug in. 10. Pack an emergency road kit Whether purchased pre-packaged or assembled at home, your kit should contain a shovel, candles, a flashlight, fresh batteries, top-quality booster cables, grip gloves, a multi-tool, reflective pylons, a toque and a blanket. For more winter preparation tips, read Westworld Alberta's November 2011 issue, which AMA members will receive in the mail soon.