Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/40418
behind the wheel Warming Up for Winter Your fall vehicle maintenance checklist by Mifi Purvis It may be a balmy, golden autumn, but in Alberta you never know when the weather is going to turn. One week you're raking leaves and the next you're shovelling snow. Get your vehicle ready for winter now to avoid getting caught out in the cold – literally. Here is your to-do list for the next two months. ✔ Check oil. Oil cleans grit from your engine that would otherwise shorten its life. "Many vehicles require an oil change at the 5,000- or 6,000-kilometre mark," says Randy Loyk, techni- cal services manager with AMA Automotive Ser- vices, "but it's all over the map." Your owner's manual will tell you when it's time. SEPTEMBER ✔ Top up coolant. Coolant stops a running engine from overheating and, in the cold, from freezing up. Manufacturers' guidelines vary widely, so check your manual, check your levels and top up if necessary. ✔Test lights. As part of regular maintenance, most shops will check headlights, brake lights, driving lights, fog lights and high beams. Since lights are critical in the dark of winter, check them yourself regularly, too. Fix a broken one before its counterpart on the other side gives out. ✔ Fix nicks and chips. "Cold weather makes a vehicle's body rigid, causing glass to fl ex," says Loyk. Temperature fl uctuations from repeatedly defrosting an icy wind- shield and entering a heated garage can cause glass to expand and con- tract, exacerbating chips and cracks. Fix them while they're small. ✔ Change to winter tires. "Especially for rural driving, we recommend winter tires," Loyk says. If you opt for the added safety that winter tires bring, put them on before the snow starts to fall. OCTOBER ✔ Check tire alignment and air pressure. Look for a sticker, usually on the driver's side door jamb, to fi nd your vehicle's recommended tire air pressure. Check the pressure in your tires often – it drops with the temperature. Align the wheels when you change tires, or if you notice uneven wear. ✔ Switch wiper blades. Start the winter sea- son with fresh wipers, opting for winter blades (keep them in top form by scraping your wind- shield regularly). Drain your wiper fl uid reservoir and fi ll it with the cold-weather variety. ✔ Test battery. Batteries have a three- to fi ve- year lifespan. Most maintenance packages include a battery test, and some instant lube shops also offer them, Loyk says. If you need to buy a new battery this autumn, look for one with a high cold- cranking amp (CCA) rating. This refers to the number of amps your battery supplies the engine for 30 seconds at –18 C before voltage decreases. ✔ Start plugging in. Check your block heater and pull your heater cord out. "Start plugging it in at –15 C," says Loyk. Even if your car starts reliably at any temperature, you're accelerating wear on the engine if you don't plug in. ✔ Pack an emergency road kit. Whether pur- chased whole-hog or assembled at home, your kit should contain a shovel, candles, a fl ashlight, fresh batteries, top-quality booster cables, grip gloves, a multi-tool, refl ective pylons, a toque and a blanket. AMA MEMBERS SAVE MORE Top Tip: "Change your oil to a winter-grade synthetic. It will help your car start with greater ease in colder temperatures and cause less wear on the engine." –Randy Loyk, technical services manager, AMA Automotive Services Test your battery, block heater, tires and lights for free and save $25 on a synthetic-oil change at any Lube City location in Alberta. Offers end October 31, 2011. ama.ab.ca/Automotive/fall-car-care Save 7% on coolant, wiper blades and other prod- ucts and tools at NAPA Auto Parts. AMARewards.ca iStock WESTWORLD >> SEPTEMBER 2011 49