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Glide by the big freeze
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November 2, 2000: 6:27 a.m. ET
Get your car ready for winter now and avoid costly repair work later
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Walking through a winter wonderland sounds nice when it's set to music, but if your car breaks down on a freezing cold night, you'll wonder why you didn't winterize your wheels when you had the chance.
Icy temperatures take their toll on your vehicle. Car batteries lose 35 percent of their power at 32 degrees and up to 60 percent at zero. For every 10-degree change in temperature, your tires will lose one pound of pressure.
Automotive experts say now is the time to prepare your car for the coming cold weather so you can avoid serious problems later.
Tony Molla, vice president of industry affairs at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, said the change of seasons is a good time to check your car's various systems to see if they're working properly. Cold weather could make any current problems much worse.
"Check your tires, check your brakes," he said. "Make sure everything is up to snuff."
Land of the freeze
Both the ASE and AAA have advice for motorists who want to get their cars ready for winter. Here are some of the items you should include on your checklist:
- Have a mechanic check your car's cooling system for the correct mixture of anti-freeze and water. A fifty-fifty mix is the norm and the radiator should contain enough anti-freeze for the lowest expected temperatures in your area.
- Change the coolant if it looks discolored or rusty. Worn coolant is the prime cause of radiator and heater core failure. Left unchecked, it can lead to major engine damage and hefty repair bills.
- Change the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles and use quality brand name oil and oil filter. Check your oil once a month. If it looks dark brown, change it.
- Make sure the batteries and charging systems are in good condition so they can provide maximum starting power under the worst
 conditions. Have your mechanic test the battery load and have the battery terminals cleaned if there's any sign of corrosion. A mix of baking soda and water removes the crusty, white material that builds up on battery terminals. - Belts must be tight and free of glazing. If you replace the belts, consider keeping the old ones in the trunk as a temporary replacement.
- Radiator and cooling system hoses must also be in good working order. Hoses that are soft, have bulges or have slow leaks at fittings should be replaced.
- Change air filters every 12,000 miles or every six months. Use a quality brand name filter—this will give you better fuel economy and performance.
- Windshield wipers, brakes and exterior lights also need to be inspected. Replace old blades and if you live in someplace where the winters are tough, get rubber-clad or winter blades to fight ice build-up. And get winter wash fluid, which does not freeze as readily as the summer grade.
Tire and Ice
Then there are your car's tires. Good tires mean good traction when there's snow on the ground. Many cars come with all-season radial tires that can be used for light snow. If you expect to be driving in heavy snow, Dave Van Sickle, AAA's director of automotive and consumer information, said you should invest in four tires specifically designed to keep you going in the snow. 
Metal-studded snow tires are most effective but should only be used in packed snow conditions. Don't leave studded tires on your car when the streets are clear because they can damage road surfaces. Studded tires are prohibited by ten states.
Non-studded tires with the M/S—mud and snow—designation or all-weather tires are permitted in every state. Whatever tires you chose, AAA said its best to use the same size as the original equipment. Tires larger than those recommended by the manufacturer may rub suspension components and alter ride and handling characteristics.
"Chains are remarkably effective," Van Sickle said. "But they're really a pain to put on and if you don't maintain them properly they can do enormous damage to your car."
Here are some additional tips from the Tire Industry Safety Council:
- Never reduce tire pressures to increase traction in snow, ice or mud.
- If you do use chains, make sure they are the right type and size for your tires. Mismatched chains can cause tire failure.
- Check your tire pressure frequently in cold weather. The tires will lose about 1 p.s.i. (pounds per square inch) of pressure for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature drop.
Emergency Gear
Automotive expert Lauren J. Fix advises motorists to keep emergency gear in their cars. The list include:
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight with new batteries
- Tire inflater
- First Aid kit
- Flare and safety triangle
- Protein bars, bottled water—in case you're stuck waiting for help.
- Snow brush with ice scraper
- Blanket for every passenger
- Cell phone (inexpensive emergency plans are available)
- Road service card
- Maps
- Paper towels
- Extra washer fluid.
- Work gloves
- Basic tools.
Fix said motorists should keep the windshields, back windows, side windows, headlights and taillights clean. Ditto for the wiper blades and top and hood of your car.
The secret to a safe winter, Fix said, "is to see and be seen." 
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