Winterize Your Vehicle

Until you’ve been stranded along a lonely highway in sub-zero temperatures, you probably haven’t thought that your vehicle can be an instrument of danger.

But your vehicle, unless you have prepared it for the rigors of winter travel, can get you into an awful lot of trouble.

Winter driving in Illinois is hazardous, even deadly unless motorists take proper caution and care before taking to the roads. Proper vehicle maintenance is essential before anyone even thinks about driving in heavy snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures.

We recommend a bumper-to-bumper inspection of any vehicle before it is deemed worthy of winter road travel. Every motorist should check for:

• Tire treads wear and proper inflation. Worn tires will get a car or truck stuck in the snow at least and will be unable to stop a vehicle at worst. Tire inflation pressure should be set according to recommendations in the owner’s manual.
• Battery power. Most batteries are good for 36 months. However, extreme cold weather can take the charge out of even a new battery.
• Coolant. If you haven’t had your cooling system flushed and re-filled with antifreeze in the last two years, you could be asking for trouble.
• Oil weight. Lighter weight motor oil is recommended for extremely cold temperatures. If you have doubts, check your owner’s manual or consult a mechanic.
• Keep a full tank of gas whenever possible. A gas tank less than half full can develop condensation and can ice up causing trouble in starting a vehicle. A full tank not only helps starting, but it’s a good insurance policy against being stranded.

Make sure your car is equipped for emergencies. These life saving items are essential:

• Battery jumper cables
• Shovel
• Blankets
• Food (non-perishable/candy bars, powdered soup). An empty three-pound coffee can, a candle and matches are all that is necessary to make soup in extreme emergencies.
• Road flares
• Battery operated flashlight.
• First aid kit
• The advent of cellular technology has been a lifesaver - literally - for stranded motorists throughout the country

In emergency conditions, the safest place is inside your vehicle. If you are stranded and unable to walk for help, the only time you should leave your vehicle is to clear the exhaust area of snow. A blocked exhaust pipe can cause deadly carbon monoxide fumes to leak back into the vehicle and kill you.

We need to stay prepared throughout the winter driving season so that we all can enjoy next spring together.