Winter vehicle prep; getting ready for another cold morning Published Dec. 4, 2013 By Dan Heald 5th Bomb Wing Ground Safety MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Winter driving can be trying, on both the vehicle and its driver. As with many other things in life, preparation is the key to success. A few cold-weather parts and preparatory procedures can make the difference between being stuck in a drift and making it home. There are a number of simple things you can do to help prevent some of the more common hassles that winter weather brings on. Some of these can be done individually; others will need to be done by qualified auto mechanics. Note: Always follow vehicle owner's manual instructions for maintenance and upkeep of your vehicle, including recommendations for winter preparations. Routine vehicle care is the best way to keep from being left out in the cold. This includes tune-ups and inspection and replacement of worn belts and hoses. Cold weather makes pliable materials stiffer and more brittle. It also makes fluids thicker. With this in mind, people who live in extreme climates often use light-viscosity synthetic lubricants, which work across a wider temperature range than conventional oil. Those who don't want the added expense sometimes use lighter-weight oils in the winter, such as 5W30. Antifreeze should be kept at approximately a 60:40 coolant-to-water ratio. In extreme conditions, too little antifreeze in the mix can allow the coolant to freeze and crack the engine block. Installing a higher-temperature thermostat, for example-- 195 degrees, will help heater performance and help the engine burn off condensation. Windshield Wipers --Replace, if more than one year old -- consider the "winter blades" which are designed to prevent ice and snow buildup. The same goes for windshield washer fluids-- Fill all reservoirs (front and rear, if so equipped) with non-freezing washer solution. A good point to remember is to fill them when they get to the half-way point. Tires: Be sure your vehicle is equipped with tires that are appropriate for your climate. Many tire manufacturers have very decent "all-weather" tires which are adequate if snowfall is typically minimal. However, in areas where snowfall tends to be heavier, it might be necessary to install actual "snow-tires", which are designed with more aggressive tread for added traction in deeper snow. Also, you might want to consider "studded snow tires" if ice-storms are frequent in your area. Note: It is a good idea to check your tire pressure at least once a week in the winter months, and be sure to check your spare tire as well. Oil Change and other fluids: If your vehicle has not had an oil change recently, changing it prior to the really cold months is a good time to schedule that. When you have your oil changed ensure the other fluid levels such as the brake fluid, power steering fluid, cooling system fluid, transmission fluid are checked and "topped off" as required. Battery maintenance will also improve cold-weather performance. For batteries that require maintenance, make sure that all cells are full of water. Keep all battery terminals and cable ends clean, and make sure the battery is well grounded. Several engine-block heating systems are available, both on the original equipment level and from the aftermarket. Most new vehicles sold in cold country come with factory-installed block heaters that replace one of the engine's freeze plugs or connect to the heater hose. A block heater warms an engine to increase the chances that the engine will start as well as warm up the vehicle faster than it normally would in extremely cold weather. The most common type is an electric heating element in the cylinder block, connected through a power cord often routed through the vehicle's grille. The block heater may replace one of the engine's core plugs. In this fashion, the heater element is immersed in the engine's coolant, which then keeps most of the engine warm. However, research by the Agricultural Engineering Department of the University of Saskatchewan has shown that operating a block heater for longer than four hours prior to starting a vehicle is a waste of energy. Before heading out, ensure you conduct a "pre-flight" check of your vehicle, especially if you plan on traveling long distances. · Perform a general check of brakes, lights, defroster/heater, fluid levels, belts, hoses and exhaust system. · Check the condition of wiper blades and consider upgrading to winter/snow blades. Always "park" blades before turning off the vehicle to minimize chances of sticking to the glass. Better yet, lift blades off the glass overnight. · Keep the gas tank at least half full. This limits the amount of condensation that can enter the fuel system and also can improve traction, especially in rear-wheel-drive vehicles, by adding weight. Adding gasoline antifreeze to the fuel tank will help protect against fuel-line freezing. · Consider adding weight to the trunk or pickup bed in rear-wheel drive vehicles. Bags of sand both add traction-improving weight and can be dumped on ice to improve traction further. Make sure to secure the extra weight to the vehicle with motorcycle straps or other suitable restraints. · Before departing, scrape ice and snow from the roof in addition to every window, mirror and light. Never splash hot water on glass to melt ice. · Lube door locks and latches and coat weather stripping with silicone spray to help keep doors from freezing shut. · Tune-up -- If your vehicle has not had a tune-up recently, or if it shows signs of needing one (i.e., rough idle, loss of power, skipping, etc.), it might be wise to schedule that. · Ballast -- If you drive a pickup truck (especially two-wheel drive), you might want to consider adding some ballast weight in the bed of the truck to ensure added traction and control in winter weather driving. · Sand/salt -- It's a good idea to carry a container of sand/salt mixture in your trunk. Be sure the container is one you can seal up, since the salt can have detrimental effects on metals. · Shovel -- Not that anyone wants to have to dig out from a snow bank, but if the need arises, a shovel can save the day. Small snow-shovels are available, if your trunk space does not allow for a standard shovel. · Extra Blankets -- Heaven forbid that anyone should be stranded away from home in a snowstorm! It does happen, however, and being prepared can mean a world of difference. A couple of extra blankets kept in your car might save your life if you do become stranded. · Cell Phone -- Most people today own cell phones, and they can be lifesavers if you become stuck or stranded. Be sure your cell phone is fully charged at all times, especially during winter driving season. · Non-perishable Foods -- It is a good idea to carry some extra non-perishable food items in your vehicle during the winter driving season, in the event you become stranded. Items such as packaged crackers, packets of condiments, dehydrated foods, even military ready-to-eat meal kits are good for starters. · First-Aid Kit and an emergency road kit -- Every vehicle should be equipped with one of these, during any season. There are other things you may choose to do in preparation for winter driving, and you should try to think about some of the things you, personally, would be concerned with, given your geographical locale, your vehicle condition, your driving abilities, your typical commuting route in relation to access for services (food, fuel, other necessities), your typical travel distance, and any other item more specific to your own needs. The 5th Bomb Wing Ground Safety office offers a winter driving/preparation course to all military member and their families and to all civilian employees. Visit the "Training Tab" on the 5th Bomb Wing Ground Safety Sharepoint Site at https://minot.eis.af.mil/wing/5bw/staff/safety/ground/default.aspx for dates and times and to sign up. A 10% off on three or more winter items to be used at the Base Exchanged is offered to all attendees.