(Newswire.net — December 30, 2013) Aurora, Colorado —
Winter is a tough time of the year on people, as well as their cars. A lot of good advice from mechanics and the DMV about vehicle winterization either goes unheard or gets ignored all together. Taking your vehicle to a trusted mechanic or following the steps laid out in the owners manual of your vehicle is essential says Ken Rackley, owner and founder of Tune Tech Automotive in Aurora, Colorado. “There are a number of things you can do to prepare for the weather,” says Ken.
As a vehicle owner, you’re usually aware of when your car or truck needs to have its oil changed. But according to Ken Rackley, most people don’t take the weather into account. “Oil is not just oil,” says Ken, “the oil changes with the temperature, so you’re going to want to make sure you have the right kind for when the temperature drops.” If your car is running on a standard 10W-30 oil, you should be okay. Ken says that most modern vehicles don’t require the seasonal oil change. However, if you are driving an older model vehicle, say in the range of 20 or 30 years, Ken recommends you try moving to a 5W-30 oil. “You’re going to want to double check your manual to make sure you’re using the right oil.”
The engine coolant is perhaps the most important aspect of vehicle winterization that people will overlook. Normally the coolant should be topped off during a routine scheduled maintenance appointment. However, it should be checked throughout the year. “The coolant is there to prevent corrosion from building up in your vehicle’s engine,” says Ken. A solid ratio people should follow is 50% coolant to 50% water. “That will ensure your vehicle can be maintained up to around 20 below zero temperatures. Ken does warn that when the temperature is already below zero, the windchill can have an effect on your vehicle as well. “In extreme weather conditions like that, you’re going to want to avoid driving your vehicle as much as possible.”
Other things you can do to ensure that your vehicle is ready for winter is to double check your battery. “The cold makes it hard for the battery to maintain a charge,” says Ken, “and it can be tough for your car to start in general.” Ken recommends that it if your car’s battery is older than 3-5 years, it’s a good time to get a replacement. “That 3 to 5 years range is right in the average lifespan of a battery. Anything older than that should be replaced.”
Having an emergency kit is also a good thing to have in your vehicle at all times. “Things like extra warm gloves, flashlights, one of those orange triangle road reflectors and road flairs are good things to have,” says Ken. Another important thing you should have with you is are some snacks and bottles of water in case the weather is bad and you end up having to wait a long time before help comes.
Vehicle winterization is an important part of owning and maintaining a vehicle. With some simple steps and precautions, you should have no problem doing your own vehicle maintenance for the cold weather season. If you need help or want to be thorough, Ken Rackley and his team at Tune Tech Automotive will make sure your car is fit and ready for the road. “We have years of experience winterizing vehicles, so just give us a call and we’ll take care of you.” Tune Tech Automotive is located at 14851 E Colfax in Aurora, Colorado and they are open Monday through Friday 7:00AM to 5:30 PM.
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