Auto Fix It was recently in the news when Channel 11 News of Dallas came by to interview A.S.C. Certified Mechanic Linda Barnett about what you need to know about your car in the cold weather. To see the story "Preparing Yourself For Driving in Freezing Weather" as it was broadcast January 7, 2010 at 5:22 p.m. on the Channel 11 News website click on the image below.

Jan 7, 2010 3:50 pm US/Central

Preparing Yourself For Driving In Freezing Weather

NORTH TEXAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) -When preparing for going out in below freezing temperatures don't forget your car. A few simple steps can ensure that your vehicle is prepared for winter driving.

A fully charged battery is necessary to start a vehicle in cold weather, so you should have your battery and charging system checked.

Before starting your vehicle turn off all accessories. The heater, defroster, lights, wipers and radio can drain starting power. Don't 'gun' or 'rev' the engine. When first driving, remember that hard acceleration can damage a cold engine.

To keep wheels from locking and sticking on slick surfaces have the brakes checked to make sure they work properly and apply smoothly.

The air pressure in your tires will decrease with every 10 degree drop in outside temperature, so make sure the tires are properly inflated.

The coolant level is also very important. "If you lose coolant in this area of the car or the radiator or anywhere else in the car where it can escape, which is several places, hoses... if you lose coolant you can't make heat for your car," explained A.S.C. Certified Mechanic Linda Barnett.

And don't forget your windshield wipers. Visibility is critical aspect of driving in adverse weather conditions. If your windshield wipers are streaking and not properly cleaning the glass, they should be replaced. It's also important to make sure that the windshield washer reservoir is filled with a solvent that won't freeze.

It's good to be prepared if you should experience a car emergency during inclimate weather. In case of emergency you should carry a winter driving kit. A few of the items included in the kit should be - a small bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter), a small snow shovel, a flashlight with new batteries, window washer solvent, an ice scraper, jumper cables, a blanket, water and extra clothes.

If you get stuck in snow, straighten the wheel and accelerate slowly. If necessary add some of the abrasive material under the wheels to avoid spinning the tires.

Of course when you head out you should take the time to remove snow or ice from the entire car so it doesn't blow onto your windshield or onto other drivers. Drive with your lights on low-beam and increase the following distance to 5 to 10 seconds or more when driving behind another vehicle.

Look out for black ice on roadways. It's commonly found on roads near lakes and rivers, in tunnels, on bridges and in highly shaded areas.

If your tires lose traction, continue to steer in the direction you want to go. When there is precipitation or freezing temperatures you shouldn't cruise control.

When possible, avoid using the parking brake in below freezing weather as it may freeze in the locked position. If the doors or locks on your vehicle are frozen close use a de-icer. Don't use warm water it may freeze and make the situation worse.

In short, winter driving can be difficult for even the most experienced drivers, so adjust your driving style for the conditions.
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