bugzy
12-15-2007, 10:15 PM
Winterizing your car:
WINTER TIRES:
http://z.about.com/d/minivans/1/5/C/5/-/-/winter-tires3.jpg
Now with winter approaching and snow about to hit the ground if it already hasnt... youll find yourself in a big mess if you are still running summer tires and in some cases even all seasons wont do the trick. Look for tires that are soft in compound (this will ensure a better grip when the rubber is sticky) rather then a tire that is hard. Also keep an eye on the tread pattern, make sure it has many "ice" grooves to keep your ride on the road in these conditions. Tires marked with "M+S" are an all-season rated radial which are generally good for some conditions but in weather where snow is real heavy or ice, sleet, etc are present these tires wont hold up, so keep this in mind when shopping around because all-season tires tend to stiffen and lose gripping power around zero Celsius.
a few other ideas when looking for good winters:
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/images/winterSymbol.gif
- look for the peaked mountain with snowflake symbol.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/resources/images/cars/tires/dangers-of-worn-tires-204/overview/0301tir005.jpg
- Make sure that winters you do have on the car have enough tread depth.
http://rvtravel.com/blog/lowtech/uploaded_images/HPIM4000-746640.jpg
- Keep the tires inflated properly throughout winter, this also helps out with fuel mileage.
http://www.firestoneag.com/images/tiredata/FigureB.gif
- Mount all 4 winter tires, dont mix and match!!
CHECK YOUR ENGINE OIL:
Good time to check your oil & change if you havent recently.... it is important to have the correct grade of oil for winter as this will effect how the car runs and starts! Heavy grade oils will make it hard on the battery & starter so keep it to the proper oil grade!
CHECK FLUIDS:
- Windshield fluid (Winter) for alteast a -30 rating.
- Clutch fluid
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Rad fluid
Drive safe!!
WINTER TIRES:
http://z.about.com/d/minivans/1/5/C/5/-/-/winter-tires3.jpg
Now with winter approaching and snow about to hit the ground if it already hasnt... youll find yourself in a big mess if you are still running summer tires and in some cases even all seasons wont do the trick. Look for tires that are soft in compound (this will ensure a better grip when the rubber is sticky) rather then a tire that is hard. Also keep an eye on the tread pattern, make sure it has many "ice" grooves to keep your ride on the road in these conditions. Tires marked with "M+S" are an all-season rated radial which are generally good for some conditions but in weather where snow is real heavy or ice, sleet, etc are present these tires wont hold up, so keep this in mind when shopping around because all-season tires tend to stiffen and lose gripping power around zero Celsius.
a few other ideas when looking for good winters:
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/images/winterSymbol.gif
- look for the peaked mountain with snowflake symbol.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/resources/images/cars/tires/dangers-of-worn-tires-204/overview/0301tir005.jpg
- Make sure that winters you do have on the car have enough tread depth.
http://rvtravel.com/blog/lowtech/uploaded_images/HPIM4000-746640.jpg
- Keep the tires inflated properly throughout winter, this also helps out with fuel mileage.
http://www.firestoneag.com/images/tiredata/FigureB.gif
- Mount all 4 winter tires, dont mix and match!!
CHECK YOUR ENGINE OIL:
Good time to check your oil & change if you havent recently.... it is important to have the correct grade of oil for winter as this will effect how the car runs and starts! Heavy grade oils will make it hard on the battery & starter so keep it to the proper oil grade!
CHECK FLUIDS:
- Windshield fluid (Winter) for alteast a -30 rating.
- Clutch fluid
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Rad fluid
Drive safe!!