AAA Colorado urges motorists to prepare for winter driving

Denver, October 3 - It’s best to assess the condition of your vehicle before winter arrives. AAA Colorado has designated October as Car Care Month to remind all motorists to check their vehicles before the onset of snowy, icy conditions.

Prepare your vehicle

AAA recommends checking the following items. Always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for maintenance recommendations.

Battery: Recharge or replace weak batteries. A battery load test performed by a qualified technician will determine a battery’s strength before winter starts.

Tires: Check for proper inflation and condition. Cold temperatures cause tire pressure to decrease. To check tire tread, look for “wear bars” that periodically run across the hollow of each tread. If the tread has been worn down to the same height as the wear bar, it’s time for new tires.

Engine oil: Check levels and change at the interval recommended in your owner’s manual. Your vehicle may require a different weight oil for cold weather operation.

Lights: Check for interior and exterior burned-out bulbs, malfunctioning switches, misdirected beams and clean lenses.

Windshield wipers, fluid and defroster: Make sure wipers and defroster are in good shape. Fill washer fluid reservoirs with no-freeze washer fluid. Carry an extra supply of washer fluid in your car.

Heating and cooling system: Check radiator hoses for leaks, bulges and cracks. Add antifreeze mixture if low and replenish if the liquid is discolored. Have your coolant checked with a hydrometer to be sure there is adequate cold weather protection, typically a 50\50 mix or coolant and water. Flush the system every other year. Test heater and defroster.

Prepare a winter driving kit: Include an ice scraper with snow brush, flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables, cell phone and car charger, general first aid kit, tire chains, blanket, extra set of warm clothes, gloves and boots, non-clumping kitty litter for traction, flares or reflective triangles, gallon jug of water, non-perishable food items, window washer solvent and shovel.

Prepare yourself for winter driving

Once your car is ready for winter travel, prepare yourself to drive in snow and ice. AAA has the following recommendations to help motorists steer clear of trouble:

Slow down: Posted speed limits are set for ideal road and weather conditions. Slow down when visibility and road conditions are impaired by bad weather or traffic.

See and be seen: Improve visibility by clearing snow and ice from the entire vehicle – hood, roof, trunk, turn signals, taillights, headlights, windows, mirrors and fender wells.

Keep your distance: Normal two to three second following distances for dry pavement should be increased to eight to ten seconds when driving on icy, slippery surfaces. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.

Watch for ice: Shaded spots, bridges, overpasses and intersections are areas where ice is likely to form first. Adjust your speed and increase the distance between you and other vehicles.

Don’t panic in a skid: In a skid, ease off the accelerator. DON’T panic, lock up the brakes or jerk the steering wheel. Carefully steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go and straighten the steering wheel when the vehicle begins to go in the desired direction.

AAA Colorado has more than 525,000 members in Colorado and is an advocate for safety and security for all travelers. As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides nearly 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services, as well as member-exclusive savings. AAA can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com.