MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec 1, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The holiday season is a great time
to travel, and never a good time for car trouble. So, before you hit the road
for the holidays, check out these Winter Driving Safety tips from AutoZone.
Prepare for emergencies. This time of year it's always a good idea to keep
an emergency kit in your trunk -- especially if you'll be traveling by car
during the holidays. Essential items to have on hand include:
- a first aid kit
- a flashlight (with new batteries, of course)
- a set of jumper cables
- spare fuses
- a tool kit
- a safety triangle
- a can of tire inflator/sealant
You will also need a raincoat or poncho and a blanket or tarp, just in
case you have to make some repairs in inclement weather.
Check your spare tire. Removing your spare to make room for extra gifts
is never a good idea. Make sure your spare tire is in place and properly
inflated. Your car jack and lug wrench should be there, too, and you should
know how to use them. Instructions can be found in your vehicle's owner's
manual.
More Winter Maintenance Tips From AutoZone
Winter weather conditions are often blamed for postponing vehicle
maintenance, but some jobs simply shouldn't be delayed until warmer weather.
Here's a list of winter car tips from AutoZone.com that can help keep your car
running trouble free.
Replace your old battery. When the temperature drops below freezing, the
cranking power of your battery drops by 33 percent. Check the Cold Cranking
Amps (or CCAs) on your battery label and make sure your battery can handle the
extra stress. And if your battery is more than four years old, odds are slim
that it will make it through another winter. If there's any doubt, bring it to
AutoZone for a free battery test.
Replace wiper blades. Snow and ice easily damage or destroy the wiping
surface of a wiper blade, making vision difficult and travel treacherous.
Carrying a spare set of blades, and changing them at least every six months,
is simple insurance that you can always see your best.
Add fuel system antifreeze. Built-up moisture in your car's fuel lines can
freeze in cold weather, leaving you stranded. Keep moisture out of your car's
fuel system by regularly pouring fuel system antifreeze into your fuel tank.
Replace your burned-out lights. With longer nights this time of year, most
drivers will be spending more time driving in the dark! Make sure your
headlights, taillights and turn signals are all working properly. Remember to
replace lights in pairs; if one bulb fails, odds are that the other bulb won't
be far behind.
Carry an ice scraper and windshield de-icer. Seeing clearly is critical
for safety, and your heater and defroster may not be enough to clear ice and
snow off your windows. A good ice scraper and windshield de-icer can clear off
thick ice and help keep it off.
Replace your dirty air filter. Put simply, dirt will send your engine to
an early grave. In fact, as little as two aspirin tablets worth of dirt in
your engine can cause more wear than 75,000 miles worth of normal driving. So,
if it's been 12 months or 12,000 miles* since you replaced your air filter,
it's time for a change!
Change your oil every 3,000 miles*. Changing to a lighter weight of oil in
the winter can help your engine start more dependably. A heavy weight oil is
thicker and harder for your engine to circulate in colder weather, which can
leave engine parts unprotected at start-up.
On behalf of the more than 49,000 AutoZoners across America, have a safe
and happy holiday season.
* For peak performance and maximum fuel efficiency, follow the
replacement intervals above. Actual replacement intervals vary by
vehicle, and are largely affected by driving conditions and personal
driving habits, so refer to your owner's manual for the specific
maintenance recommendations for your vehicle.
About AutoZone:
As of August 28, 2004, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts,
chemicals and accessories through 3,420 AutoZone stores in 48 states plus the
District of Columbia in the U.S. and 63 AutoZone stores in Mexico and also
sells the ALLDATA brand automotive diagnostic and repair software. On the web,
AutoZone sells diagnostic and repair information
through http://www.alldatadiy.com and auto and light truck parts
through http://www.autozone.com .
SOURCE AutoZone, Inc.
Media, Ray Pohlman, +1-901-495-7962, or
ray.pohlman@autozone.com , or Financial, Brian Campbell, +1-901-495-7005, or
brian.campbell@autozone.com , both of AutoZone, Inc.
http://www.autozone.com