Mike Simms, service manager at Jim Butler Chevrolet in Fenton, offers tips to keep your car operating safely, so you don't end up on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.
Jim Butler Winter Car Care Tips:
• Keep a roadside emergency kit in your trunk. If you get stranded or stuck, you’ll be glad you have these helpful items with you: flashlight, blanket, small shovel, gloves, coolant, window washer fluid.
• Check your battery. When the temperature drops, so does battery power. And a cold engine needs more battery power to start. That's why older batteries often fail in cold weather. Unless you have a new battery, you should have it tested. Bring your car in and we'll do this for free.
• Check the antifreeze. Coolant expands when it freezes, and that's bad because it can damage your engine. Make sure you refill with antifreeze that can withstand winter temps. For older cars, we recommend flushing out the old coolant. If you're not sure where to put the coolant, don't take a guess ... just bring your car in and we’ll point it out for you and fill it up for free.
• Fill up on windshield washer fluid. This is critical if you’re driving in low visibility such as a snowstorm, ice storm or fog. A dirty windshield reduces visibility even more. Check your owner's manual to find out the right type of fluid for your car.
• Check wipers. Winter is a good time to replace your wipers since we get a fair amount of snow and ice in St. Louis. This should be done every year. If the rubber on the blades are torn, or if the wipers leave streak marks on your windshield, they should definitely be replaced. Stop by our service center if you have any trouble putting on new wipers … we’ll help out free of charge.
• Inspect your tires. "Bad" tires have worn treads, uneven wear, or degraded rubber. Cracking or dry rot on the rim is also a bad sign. Worn out tires can't handle slick or icy roads well and that's why its dangerous to drive on old tires.
• Check your tire pressure. Tire pressure drops when the temperature drops, and having too little air in your tires makes them less able to grip wet or icy roads. Low tire pressure also decreases fuel efficiency and causes the tires to wear out faster. To find the proper pressure for your car, look for the PSI printed on the door jam. Use a tire pressure gauge (we like electronic gauges) to check air pressure and fill as needed.
GET MORE INFO AT JIMBUTLERCHEVROLET.COM/WINTER-READY
Complete our checklist and you’ll be on the road to safe winter driving. Let us know if we can help – our FREE 27-point inspection covers all of the items on the checklist and much more. All makes and models qualify! Just call the Jim Butler Chevrolet Service Center at 866-666-2068 or schedule service online!
FREE TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE! The first 200 people to stop by Jim Butler Chevrolet this winter will receive a free electronic tire gauge! Just ask us about it in the Service Center.