Sarah Holland
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 14/00) - With colder temperatures approaching, now is a good time to start thinking about winter vehicle maintenance.

Winter is hard on vehicles, causing batteries to falter, engines to stall and tires to wear. Each day, drivers must deal with frosted windows, piles of snow, frozen locks, dead batteries, and the endless wait for the heater to warm up.

Helpful hints Lubrication engine oil filter engine oil change chassis lubrication transmission oil change transmission oil filter fluid levels check wheel bearings Tires tire condition and spare air pressure/tread depth rotate wheel balance vehicle alignment Brakes brake fluid -- level, condition inspect brake system Engine spark plugs air filter fuel filter emission control system PCV valve crankcase filter canister filter Cooling System level/condition radiator cap hoses/clamps/thermostat antifreeze protection pressure test power flush heater operation Battery level condition connection/cables Various lights wiper blades and washer fluid levels inspect steering/suspension inspect exhaust system

Preventative measures can be taken to ensure that your vehicle, your investment, runs as smoothly as possible this winter.

Oil is key to the longevity of your car. Your oil should be checked frequently and changed every three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Severe conditions, such as dusty areas, extreme temperatures and short trips, place strain on the engine and push your oil to the limit. This stress can include increasing operating temperatures and/or increasing the amount of contaminants the oil has to hold in suspension.

It's wise to start winter with a clean oil filter and fresh motor oil.

One of the myths associated with oil changes is that if you change the oil filter, you can run longer between oil changes. You should change the oil when you change the filter. The oil's additives wear out and contaminants get into the oil itself. A filter can only catch large particles suspended in the oil, not replenish lost additives.

A common engine contaminant is grease buildup, which can clog passages and inhibit heat transfer. Using a de-greaser is an affordable and easy way to help keep your engine healthy.

Then there's the the battery. A piece of equipment that, when dead, causes drivers to bang their heads repeatedly on the steering wheel.

To save your forehead from any undue pain, it's a good idea to have a technician do a battery load test to get a measurement of the battery's condition. It's also important to check the battery terminals and cable connectors. It there's corrosion, try cleaning the connectors with a mixture of baking soda and water.

Keeping your tires properly inflated is also important, as cooler weather causes the air in tires to contract, resulting in under-inflated tires that will wear faster, decrease the level of steering control and provide poor traction. Under-inflated tires also decrease gas mileage.

And don't forget to check your spare!

Efficient driving tips

Adopting certain driving habits will save money, increase fuel efficiency and decrease fuel consumption.

- Avoid excessive idling, which wastes gas. Keep winter engine warm-ups to a minimum.

- Don't rev the engine, this also wastes gas. It can also overheat the catalytic converter, which makes it less effective and damages it, costing you money.

- Drive smoothly. Quick stops and starts waste gas and increase vehicle emissions. If your car is equipped with overdrive, use it at the proper speeds, the same with cruise control.

- Don't take too many short trips. A vehicle will burn more gas and emit more pollutants in its first few minutes of operation because the emission control systems have not warmed up and reached peak efficiency. Whenever possible carpool, bike, use public transit or walk to your destination.

And remember to always have a winter survival kit and include items such as: flashlight, blanket, small bag of abrasive material (try cat litter or sand), cloth towel, candles and matches, ice scraper, small shovel, booster cables and a warning device (reflective triangle or flares).