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Shifting Gears: Winterizing your car
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Anonymous user Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments It's December, and by now you've heard and seen endless advertisements on the radio, television and in print concerning "winterizing" your car.

But what does that really mean, and is it really necessary, or are people just trying to jilt you out of your cash?

Winter means cold, rain, and in the San Joaquin Valley, the Tule fog. You hear how you need coolant changes, tire changes and wiper blade changes. Some car dealers even suggest that just because of the coming winter you need a vehicle change.

Some claims are true, but in most cases businesses are just intent on parting you from your dough!

The reality is we don't have winters like the upper peninsula of Michigan, so the major vehicle considerations they have there are simply not necessary here in Bakersfield.

I've lived this scenario, how about you? It's mid-October and you're driving along Rosedale Highway about 4 in the afternoon when you see the gathering clouds. Suddenly, the rain starts coming down and you turn on your wipers. After a few passes of wiping off the muddy water and bugs, you hear an awful "screeeeeeech!" You then look at your windshield and see that not only are your wipers not working, but every time the arms come up and down a nasty scratch is being dug deeper and deeper into your windshield.

You panic, turn off the wipers and pull into the nearest auto parts superstore –– if you can find a parking space, since everybody else on the road had the same idea) –– and walk into the store to get new wipers.

You look through the manuals, find the ones you believe are right, stand in line at the counter, pay for them, and on the way outside, toss the receipt.

You attempt to put them on, but find you need new tools. Back into the store, and $20 later you have the tools to do it. You attempt to put them on, but find they are wrong.

Inside the store again, you get the right size and tell the counter guy you want to return the old ones. But the receipt ...

One hour later you're back to your busy day with questionable new wipers and tools you don't really want.

Windshield wipers are made of soft and supple rubber, not high-density plastic. The hot summers in Bakersfield –– with the high UV afternoons –– really kill that suppleness of rubber. When this happens, the windshield wipers get hard and brittle. The first time they are used after summer is when they usually fail, as in the situation above.

In Bakersfield, this is the biggest "winterization" consideration. What I've found is that the best way to avoid it is to take your car to a commercial car wash/lube place like Whitewater on Rosedale Highway and have them do it before the rainy season while you're getting your oil changed and car washed. Yeah, it costs a little more, but it's done and you don't have to worry about it!

Winter means fog. Fog means we need to see and be seen. To do this, all of our lights need to work: blinkers, park lights, back-up lights, headlights, and most importantly, brake and taillights. To ensure they all work, pull your car into your garage, pull the door down, and check the function of every one of them. Just because the blinker blinks inside the car doesn't mean the light is actually flashing. Be sure the light lenses are not "cloudy" or cracked from UV damage. If they are, replace them. You'd be amazed at how much brighter your lights look when you put on new lenses. Be sure your headlights are properly adjusted.

The last piece of the vehicle winterization puzzle for Bakersfield is tires and brakes. How do we really know when tires are worn out? Pull a penny from your purse or pocket. Look at the head of ole Abe. Grab the penny at the bottom with your forefinger and thumb, covering up the date and Abe's collar. Put the penny headfirst into the tread. If the top of Abe's head is not covered at all, your tires are legally bald and extremely dangerous on wet roads.

Be sure of proper inflation. Most $2 gauges people buy at Autozone are woefully inaccurate. Again, have the guy at the carwash do it. It's included and it's right. Have a tire shop check the brakes. Most vehicles have complicated anti-lock stopping systems, and the old "pedal-feel" way simply doesn't work.

So replace those wipers before it rains, check those tires and brakes, and physically check out the operation of ALL of your outside vehicle lights, and you'll have done the lion's share of vehicle winterization. There may be more things needed for your individual vehicle, but if you do these things you'll be on the way to safer wintertime driving.

Until next time, drive safe, have fun and happy motoring!

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