HYANNIS – This year’s Thanksgiving Day is expected to be the coldest ever as southern New Englanders brace for record cold temperatures starting on Wednesday and extending into Friday.
In preparation for a cold Turkey Day, AAA Northeast is urging motorists to make sure their cars are ready to start and run in the extreme cold that will grip New England in the coming days.
“This is weather we normally wouldn’t experience for another month, and cars may have not had their annual pre-winter check,” said John Paul, AAA Northeast Senior Manager of Traffic Safety and the AAA Car Doctor.
“A quick call now to AAA or your local mechanic can save you time, money and aggravation as the mercury dips into the teens and single digits,” he added.
Motorists can be prepared for adverse cold weather conditions with these tips from AAA:
Battery and charging system: Have the battery and charging system tested if your vehicle’s battery is more than three years old. Even a good battery can lose up to 50 percent of its capacity when the temperatures drop to zero. At 32 degrees it can take up to 30 percent more power to start a cold engine. If your vehicle started with a jumpstart you have only fixed the symptom but not the problem.
A well-maintained vehicle should start in nearly any weather condition.
Coolant: Check the coolant level in the overflow tank when the engine is cold.
If the level is low, add a 50/50 solution of coolant and water to maintain the necessary antifreeze capability. A 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water will protect your car’s engine to -34 degrees. You can test the antifreeze protection level with an inexpensive tester available at any auto parts store.
Check the cooling system hoses for leaks, cracks or loose clamps, too. Any hoses that feel brittle or spongy when squeezed should be replaced.
Ignition: Today we don’t think about tune-ups like we once did with older cars but ignition systems can fail.
Damaged ignition wires, a cracked distributor cap or worn spark plugs can make starting difficult. If the check engine light is flashing this indicates an engine misfire that could be a result of a malfunctioning ignition system. Driving with a flashing check engine light will permanently damage the engine catalytic convertor-a very expensive repair.
Oil: This is a year-round recommendation, but certainly worth taking care of with the rest of your winter prep. Always have your oil changed per manufacturer recommendations. You should have your vehicle’s transmission fluid level checked at the same time. Synthetic oil is a benefit in every vehicle and will allow for quicker starts in very cold weather.
Tires: In areas with heavy winter weather, installing winter tires on all four wheels will provide the best traction. Winter tires are also formulated to work better in very cold weather conditions due to the stickier rubber compounds.
All-season tires work well in light-to-moderate snow conditions provided they have adequate tread depth. Examine tires for tread depth, uneven wearing and cupping.
Uneven tire wear can indicate alignment, wheel balance or suspension problems that must be addressed to prevent further tire damage.
Washer fluid: Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a winter cleaning solution that has antifreeze components. Some window washer solution is rated to just 20 degrees, but in cold weather this solution can freeze and damage the washer system. Look for washer fluid that protects well below freezing temperatures.
Wipers: Wiper blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Replace any blade that leaves streaks or misses spots. Consider installing wiper blades that have a one-piece plastic beam frame or winter blades that wrap the metal frame in a rubber boot. Both designs help prevent snow and ice buildup that can interfere with blade-to-glass contact.
Engine Warm up: Extensive engine warm ups are not necessary even in very cold weather. A more fuel-efficient technique is once the car is running and you are settled in with your favorite radio station and your seat belt fastened, drive reasonably until the engine comes up to operating temperature.
By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com News Center
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