Just about the time your car settles in to the routine of summer driving, that’s the time you need to begin preparing for winter driving conditions. Local experts agree that a bit of planning and preventative steps can help your vehicle survive whatever kind of winter the Lewiston based, “Farmers’ Almanac” might predict.

“First and foremost, keep up on your oil changes, following vehicle manufacturer recommendation,” said Randy Greenwood, General Manager of Elizabeth Ann Texaco Xpress Lube in Lewiston. “We recommend an oil change every 3 months or 3000 miles as Maine would be classified with “severe” driving conditions. The “normal” driving conditions listed in your owner’s manual really don’t apply to most drivers in the Northeast.”

Another overlooked item, according to Greenwood, is the failure to maintain a vehicle’s coolant system that may need to be flushed out and replaced. Traditional coolants generally should be change every 2 yrs or 30,000 miles though there are now extended life coolants generally rated for 5 yrs or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. “Test your antifreeze coolant,” said Greenwood, noting that many car repair problems can be related to coolant problems.

Winter conditions can lead to treacherous driving and proper tire care is essential. Area tire dealers all agree that reviewing your tire needs and options before the first snowstorm arrives can make the transition from summer to winter driving an easier one.

“The State of Maine requires 2/32 of an inch of tread on your tires for inspection stickers,” said Mark Daigle, General Manager of the VIP location on Sabattus Street in Lewiston. “So just because you got an inspection sticker a few months ago, it doesn’t mean that your tires are ready for winter driving.”

Scott Gabriel, Service Manager at the VIP location on Center Street in Auburn agrees and notes that tests have been done by tire manufacturers that show great improvement on handling and stopping distance on tires at 4/32” and 6/32” versus 2/32” “Vehicles equipped with the minimum tire tread depth took about 100 more feet to stop compared to the tires with more tread,” said Gabriel. “In fact, vehicles with the minimum tread were still traveling at about 45 mph while others had come to a complete stop.”

Beyond the question about tread wear, comes the question of whether a vehicle needs snow tires or whether they can run year round with all season radials?

“You can get through the winter by wearing sneakers, but you might want to consider wearing boots,” said Rick Mailhiot, Manager for the newly opened Town Fair Tire in Auburn. “It’s the same with tires. You might get by with year round radials, but you’ll get better traction with snow tires.”

The experts all agree that getting four snow tires is the best route to go, though many customers ask if they can get only two.

“I never recommend putting just two snow tires on,” said Daigle, noting that the extra traction makes the other end of the vehicle swerve erratically when braking. Mailhiot adds, “The only time I’ll put on two winter tires is when it is the two rear tires on a two wheel drive vehicle.”

Daigle also recommends a battery check up when entering the winter season to make sure that it is delivering the appropriate charge for start ups.

“The most wear and tear on a battery comes during the summer,” he said, “and the last time you want to know that there is a problem is during the coldest time in the winter.”

Windshield wipers are also part of Daigle’s pre-winter recommendations. “Most people have summer wipers and they get the winter wipers which are really the summer ones covered up more,” he said. “I always recommend the newer flexible wipers.”

With the flexible ones, the wiper actually fits to the contour of the vehicle’s window and provides a more even clearing of the water.

“Back in the days when most cars had the same kind of window, the straight wipers worked okay,” said Daigle. “The flexible ones work better to accommodate the different kinds of windows on today’s vehicles.”

Winter Car Kit

From The University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Keep these items in your car:

Flashlights with extra batteries

First aid kit with pocket knife

Necessary medications

Several blankets

Sleeping bags

Extra newspapers for insulation

Plastic bags (for sanitation)

Matches or lighter

Extra set of mittens, socks, and a wool cap

Rain gear and extra clothes

Small sack of sand for generating traction under wheels

Small shovel

Small tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)

Booster cables

Set of tire chains or traction mats

Cards, games, and puzzles

Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag

Canned fruit and nuts (Allow for freezing)

Nonelectric can opener

Bottled water (Allow for freezing)

Copy the Story Link