Dealerships can help with winter car prep

By Jim Bohen, St. Paul freelance writer

Last update: November 6, 2009 - 2:07 PM

While some embrace winter, many more dread it. The majority tolerate it - at least for awhile. However we deal with winter, there's no getting completely around it here. We don't like icy roads, sideways snow, bitter cold and salty slush and neither do our vehicles. And if a vehicle has a problem, winter is waiting to pounce on it - and expose us to a tow or a jump. Even newer cars that start reliably and are relegating body rust to the history books can use some help before facing the elements. A good place to find that help is at a new-car dealership, which offers competitively priced winterizing packages and a large selection of new tires.

Do it yourself

Newer vehicles are not as do-it-yourself friendly as older models. People can check and add fluids on any vehicle, however, change or add antifreeze (if applicable), and inspect belts and hoses for leaks, cracks and fraying. And everyone's trunk can have windshield washer fluid, an inflated spare and a winter emergency kit. Wiper blades should be checked and replaced, if necessary.

Whatever you do on your own, always defer to your owner's manual. The only exception? If you decide to follow a more conservative maintenance schedule.

Oil changes

Autobytel.com recommends in a recent article getting oil changes at dealerships because they're more motivated to use the proper oil for your vehicle. The article argues that oil-change chains are less likely to do that because they tend to buy cheaper oil in bulk.

Wherever and however you get one, an oil change is cheap cold-weather insurance, even if your maintenance schedule says you can wait. New oil helps cars warm up faster and, because oil breaks down faster when engines aren't warmed up before driving, new oil offers more protection for the many start-and-go drivers among us. People who tow a lot and motorists who sit in stop-and-go traffic should consider changing their oil at 60,000 miles, not the 100,000 miles listed in many newer vehicles' manuals.

Tires

Tires are critical in snow and on icy roads. Worn tires are more likely to skid and underinflated tires - common in winter because we don't like to check the pressure when it's cold - provide less traction in snow. Underinflated tires also damage more easily, lower vehicle load ratings and cut mileage (which means more pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions). Tire pressure drops with temperature, so check tires often when it's cold. Do so after the tires have been sitting awhile.

All-season tires are so common today that few people need or use winter tires. If you do, however, use four on front-wheel drive vehicles and at least two rear tires if you have rear drive.

Let dealers do it

Qualified technicians should do most things on today's complex vehicles. This applies especially to engines, brakes and suspensions and to heating/cooling, electrical and exhaust systems. And since winter reveals battery problems, a load test is a good idea, especially when very cold weather requires batteries to use up to five times as much power for starting.

Many dealers prep vehicles for winter, but booking an appointment now is wise. It's better than "booking" something later - because you have no choice.

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