Prepare Your Vehicle Now For Winter Travel

By Author: MS
Total Articles: 75
Comment this article

(MS) -- Some people anxiously await the first few snowflakes of winter, while others dread below-zero mornings and icy commutes to work. No matter how you feel about the cold, the reality is that it can take its toll on your vehicle if you don't take the right precautions, say the automotive experts at AMSOIL.

Your car or truck requires routine maintenance year-round, but there are certain items to especially focus on when the temperature drops. Taking a few moments now might save you from the frustration of being stranded later.

Motor Oil Musts

Engines work harder in winter. That's because oils and greases become thicker when it's cold, slowing starting rpm, restricting oil flow to critical engine parts, increasing wear on bearings and rings, decreasing engine life, and increasing the burden on an already overtaxed starting system. Over time, friction and impeded fluid flow can contribute to engine wear.

For severe cold, there is a significant performance difference between synthetic and conventional motor oil. Many synthetic motor oils still flow or pump at temperatures up to sixty and seventy below ...
... zero. Synthetics have a broader service range than traditional petroleum. AMSOIL synthetic motor oil and drivetrain fluids will reduce friction, improve horsepower and fuel economy by keeping moving parts operating efficiently and cleanly -- even when the mercury drops.

Avoid Frostbite for Your Vehicle

Inadequate antifreeze in the engine's cooling system can result in serious damage to your vehicle. Make sure you check antifreeze levels and the effective working temperature of the product you're using. Otherwise you risk a cracked engine block, blown hoses and water pump failure --just to name a few scenarios -- from frozen, expanded water in your vehicle's critical systems.

There are a number of relatively inexpensive antifreeze testers available for measuring the effective working temperature of your antifreeze. If you don't own one of these gauges, be sure to have the radiator fluid checked at your local service station to make sure it is suitable for severe cold temperatures.

Propylene glycol-based antifreezes provide excellent protection against freezing. Propylene glycol is safer than ethylene glycol antifreezes, in that it is relatively safe if accidentally ingested by animals, and it doesn't have the sweet taste and smell that lures pets and children to the ethylene glycol variety in the first place. AMSOIL Propylene Glycol Antifreeze is compatible with all other antifreeze products and does not require a complete system flush before usage.

Battery Basics

As temperatures drop, so does the efficiency of the battery. In very cold weather, the battery's power output can be diminished to as little as 10 percent. Batteries also lose power as they age. So if you were thinking about getting a new car battery, now may be the time to do so to ensure you're not stranded on the side of the road in a snowstorm due to a battery that won't turn over the engine.

Think winter prep now for safer winter driving later. For more tips, visit www.amsoil.com.

CAPTION: The leaves are changing colors, signifying that now is the time to prep your vehicle for winter travel.

I started writing articles since 2001 and have been enjoyed doing it. I was graduated from the University of Cardiff with a bachelor degree in education.