Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter Weather

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• With winter weather approaching, its important
  to take auto maintenance and safety checks into
  consideration to ensure the life of your vehicle.
  Before the weather gets too severe, now is a good
  time to look under the hood and make certain
  everything is in order. While youre at it, make
  sure your regular maintenance log is up to date
  as the change in seasons is a great time to go
  through once-a-year or twice-a-year auto
  maintenance tasks.

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• Cold weather puts stronger-than-usual demands on
  your vehicles charging system.
• Check battery posts for corrosion or weather
  damage nothing is more important than a perfect
  battery connection.
• Check and possibly replace batteries 4 years and
  older to avoid getting stranded unexpectedly.
• Consider a booster pack or jumper cables as part
  of your winter preparedness kit.

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• Salt and slush wreak havoc on your windows,
  reducing visibility.
• No winter car kit is complete without an ice
  scraper and snow brush, because you never know
  when a blizzard could hit.
• Replace your wiper blades if theyre old and
  hardened, or switch to winter wiper blades.
• Consider cold weather windshield washer fluid,
  which includes antifreeze.

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• Coolant systems that freeze can lead to even
  worse problems like overheating.
• Before the first freeze of the year, have your
  cars coolant system flushed and checked for
  leaks.
• Cars contain a mix of 50 water and 50
  antifreeze. Ensure the ratio stays close to 50/50
  and the level is full. Many auto service stations
  and repair centers will check this mixture for
  free. You can also pick up a testing kit for
  about 5.

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• The interior comfort of your car is as important
  as the engines inner workings!
• Ensure your heater and vents are working
  properly, with no leaks.
• Test the window defroster.

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• Tires take a lot of wear in the winter months, so
  for safetys sake, get them checked often.
• Check tread depth. The National Highway
  Transportation Safety Board says you need at
  least 2/32" of depth to be safe.
• When tires get cold they can release pressure, so
  be sure to keep them inflated.
• Check tire traction before driving on icy roads.
• Consider snow tires for lengthy driving during
  cold winter months.

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• Good brakes are crucial for any vehicle,
  especially one thats heading out on ice or
  snow-covered roads.
• Ask your maintenance team for a complete check of
  the brake system, from hydraulic fluid to brake
  pads.
• Read up on winter driving tactics, like what to
  do if your car hits a patch of black ice.

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• Whether youre leaving your car at home all
  winter in search of warmer climates, or just
  storing the vehicle for a long weekend, be sure
  your car has protection from the elements.
• If you have a garage, use it to protect your
  paint job, guard against ice, and prevent fluid
  freezing.
• Invest in a car cover if you dont have a garage.
  A car cover wont do much to prevent fluids from
  freezing, but it will keep snow and ice off the
  windshield and your paint, and help protect your
  car from salts that might be used on the streets.

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• Desert Sun Auto Group serves the Greater New
  Mexico and West Texas areas. With locations in
  Alamogordo, Roswell and Espanola, stop by for the
  best deals of the area. Desert Sun Auto Group
  offers favorite brands like Chevrolet, Buick,
  GMC, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, and
  Toyota.
• Phone [phone]
• Website http//www.desertsunmotors.com/