MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Freezing temperatures will soon be
in the forecast, and studies show three out of four vehicles on the road are
vulnerable to wintertime damage.
Unfortunately, most vehicle owners don't realize how damaging last
summer's heat was to their vehicles. After months left unchecked, antifreeze
loses its effectiveness, belts and hoses dry out and seasonal temperature
changes can make moisture collect in the fuel system.
"Don't let this warm autumn fool you," says Lesley Hartney, AutoZone's
vice president of communications and training. "The first big winter blast is
right around the corner, and motorists don't need to be caught off guard."
Here are five easy steps drivers can take to prepare their cars for the
colder temperatures:
1. Flush and refill your radiator with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and
water.
2. Check your belts and hoses for signs of wear. Squeeze radiator and
heater hoses to make sure they're firm yet flexible, and replace any
hose that feels mushy or brittle. Also, check the underside of all
belts and replace any that are cracked.
3. Use a fuel system dryer to prevent moisture from freezing in your fuel
line.
4. Replace your radiator cap and thermostat every three years or 50,000
miles.
5. Check your windshield wiper blades for cracking. Dry, hot summers
break down the rubber strips in your wiper blades, but they can be
easily replaced.
For more information on preparing vehicles for winter, go to
www.autozone.com.
About AutoZone
AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and
accessories through 2,915 AutoZone stores in 42 states in the U.S. plus the
District of Columbia and 13 AutoZone stores in Mexico. AutoZone also sells
heavy-duty truck parts through 49 TruckPro stores in 15 states, and automotive
diagnostic and repair software through ALLDATA and diagnostic and repair
information through alldatadiy.com.
SOURCE AutoZone, Inc.
/EDITOR'S ADVISORY: To set up interviews or photography-video at a local
AutoZone, contact Andrew Burns at 901-495-7313./
CONTACT: media, Andrew Burns, 901-495-7313, or Sally Pace, 901-495-7321,
both of AutoZone, Inc./