Hudson Valley Region Winter Car Care Tips

Keeping everything in tune can mean the difference between a safe, smooth ride and a trip to the repair shop.

* Check Your Antifreeze/Coolant
Antifreeze helps control the temperature of a vehicle’s engine. Since it remains liquid and does not freeze in cold temperatures, antifreeze also helps protect the engine during extreme cold starts. Servicing your vehicle’s cooling system according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations can help you avoid costly repairs down the line. Check your owners’ manual for how often it should be replaced.

* Watch the Wiper Blades
The normal life expectancy for most windshield wiper blades is six to 12 months. Check and clean the windshield wiper blades or replace them if necessary. Checking and replacing them as needed can improve visibility to help avoid a very dangerous situation on the road -- particularly in snowy and stormy conditions.

* Make Sure the Battery is Strong
A weak battery is less reliable and can take longer to start your car on cold mornings. In fact, a weak battery could lose about one third of its power or more in colder conditions (e.g. below 32 degrees Fahrenheit). Make sure that connections are tight and free of corrosion and have your battery tested to ensure it has ample power to withstand the cold. Start the car with the heater, lights and window defrosters turned off to minimize battery strain.

* In Case of Emergency
Maintain a vehicle emergency kit including a first aid kit, jumper cables, flashlight, bottled water, extra blankets, gloves and hat, granola/energy bars, duct tape, and a can of Fix-a-Flat. You never know when you will need these essentials.

* Clean the Engine Air Filter
The engine air filter is a vehicle’s lung. A clean air filter helps the engine combust an optimal air-to-fuel mixture, making it run more smoothly and efficiently. When your air filter is clogged, your engine has to work harder and therefore is not operating at peak performance. Check your vehicle owner’s manual to find out when it needs to be replaced.

* Pay Attention to Oil Grade
Motor oil lubricates the engine, keeping it cool and reducing the friction between moving parts. As motor oil circulates, it also cleans away harmful dirt and contaminants. In general, you should use the lightest grade of oil your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends for the conditions you drive in. During the winter, this may mean an even lighter grade than usual. Most vehicle owner’s manual specifies the correct grade of motor oil for your vehicle during certain driving conditions and seasons.

* Keep an Eye on Tire Pressure
Under-inflated tires create extra friction where the rubber meets the road. Improperly inflated tires also wear unevenly, which can impact your vehicle’s traction on the road and possibly lead to a dangerous blowout. Check your tire pressure regularly and make sure all of them are filled to the correct level -- and remember your spare tire, which can lose pressure in the cold.

Proper tire pressure is vehicle-specific. Tire pressure information for a vehicle is found on a decal typically in the vehicle’s door jamb or in the vehicle owner’s manual. Do not follow the pressure listed on the sidewall of the tire, as this number is specific to the tire, not the vehicle.

Hudson Valley- Poughkeepsie Region Avoiding Animal-Related Accidents

It doesn't matter what part of the world you live in, there are undoubtedly free-roaming animals in residence that have caused havoc with local traffic. In the U.S. alone, the National Safety Council reported over a half-million animal-related auto accidents in 2003-a trend that has increased with time. Whether you live in an area populated with deer, moose, cows, turkeys, or any animal substantial enough to do damage to your vehicle, there are steps you can take to avoid a costly collision with wildlife:

Animal-related auto accidents tend to occur before and directly after sunrise- be especially on the lookout when driving at this time of day. Drive carefully in posted animal crossing zones-these areas are known for large populations of a particular species such as deer, for example. If it is dark out, use your high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. Animal eyes shine in the dark, and you have a better chance of spotting them at a distance. If an animal is close by, honk your horn and flash your high beams to scare it off. You've heard the term 'deer in headlights', flashing your lights should break the trance and effect action. If an animal is on or near the road, stay in your lane and brake firmly without locking up your brakes. At a slower speed you will have more time to consider- and take-the proper course of action. This last tip is an obvious but important one: always wear your seatbelt. Hitting an animal at any rate of speed can cause injury-even death.

Although mostly common sense, these tips are important to keep at top-of-mind when driving. Often, we only consider other drivers as a source of danger on the road, but the reality is that animals are unpredictable and many times we don't even realize that they are there. Awareness and preparedness are the keys to safety.