special sections - car care, winter 2015

Car CareFall/Winter 2015

Improve fuel economy, page 3

Winter tire traction, page 5

Emergency kits, page 10

An advertising supplement produced by Peninsula Daily News and Sequim Gazette

Fall/Winter Car CarePeninsula Daily news/sequim Gazette 2 OctOber 2015

Car CareFall/Winter 2015

is a special section published by Peninsula Daily News & Sequim Gazette Advertising Department

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MetroCreative

Distracted driving — diverting one’s attention from the road for mere sec-onds — can have serious, and poten-tially fatal, consequences.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found distracted driv-ing kills more than 15 people each day while injuring more than 1,200.

Any activity that takes attention away from driving is considered a distraction.

These include taking your hands off the wheel, daydreaming or engaging in any behavior that takes your eyes off of the road.

Certain activities are known distrac-tions, and understanding which habits can be dangerous and making strides to correct behaviors can help save lives, prevent injuries and reduce accident-related expenses.

A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute indicated that 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes in the United States involve some form of driver distraction.

This distraction took place a mere three seconds before the vehicle crash.

An Allstate Canada marketing survey

of 1,605 Canadian adults conducted between July 26 and July 28 found that, although the vast majority of Canadi-ans thinks driving while distracted is unacceptable, nearly three out of four Canadian drivers admits to engaging in a behavior that is considered a distraction.

That is perhaps in part because driv-ers are not aware just how distracting some the following behaviors truly are.

USING MOBILE PHONESLeading the list of the top distractions

behind the wheel are mobile phones. Phones now do more than just place

calls, and drivers often cannot pull away from their phones, even when driving.

According to the California Depart-ment of Motor Vehicles, studies have shown that driving performance is lowered and the level of distraction is higher for drivers who are heavily en-gaged in cell phone conversations.

The use of a hands-free device does not lower distraction levels.

The percentage of vehicle crashes and near-crashes attributed to dialing is nearly identical to the number associ-ated with talking or listening.

Top driving distractions

>> DISTRACTIONS, continued on 4

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MetroCreative

Many motorists notice that their ve-hicles seem to get less miles per gallon in cold weather than in warm weather.

That’s not a trick of the brain, as stud-ies have shown that cars do, in fact, have poorer fuel in economy in cold weather.

According to the United States Department of Energy, fuel economy tests have indicated that when driving in short-trip city driving, a conventional gasoline car’s gas mileage is about 12 percent lower at 20°F than it would be at 77°F.

The disparity is even greater in hy-brid vehicles, which can see their fuel economy decline by roughly 34 percent when driven at 20°F.

Before drivers can understand how to improve their winter fuel economy, it’s beneficial to learn why cold weather has such an adverse effect on a car’s fuel economy.

A host of factors combine to reduce fuel economy in the winter.

When temperatures dip, engine oil and other drive-line fluids also get colder, and this increases engine and transmission friction.

That forces the vehicle to work harder and use more fuel.

An engine also takes longer to reach its most fuel-efficient temperature when the weather outside is cold.

This won’t have too great an impact

on fuel efficiency when taking long trips, but the shorter the trip the less economi-cal the vehicle’s use of fuel will be, as a shorter trip means the vehicle is spend-ing a larger percentage of the overall drive at a less fuel efficient temperature.

Another reason fuel economy suffers in the winter is the necessities and cer-tain creature comforts drivers need when driving in the cold weather.

Windshield defrosters and ve-hicle heating systems use a substantial amount of power, and that usage forces the vehicle to expend more energy and use more fuel.

And while many drivers consider heated seats one of the greatest auto-motive inventions known to man, those seats also use up a lot of power that negatively impacts fuel economy.

But factors outside the vehicle also impact its fuel economy in the winter.

For example, colder temperatures de-crease tire pressure, and that increases roll resistance, which means the car must work harder and use more fuel to get down the street than it would if it were riding on fully inflated tires in the summertime.

Cold air also is more dense than warm air, and that increases aerodynamic drag on the vehicle, which then needs to use more fuel to counter the increased drag.

So what can be done to improve fuel economy in the winter?

Improve fuel economy

>> FUEL, continued on 5

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Accident rates have increased thanks to texting, which involves a person taking his or her hands and eyes off of the road.

A 2009 study by Car and Driver maga-zine compared the dangers of texting while driving to the effects of driving drunk to see which would be more dan-gerous under the same conditions.

Measuring the time it takes to brake after being alerted by a red light to stop, the reaction time was recorded when the driver was legally drunk, reading an email and sending a text.

Texting easily elicited the slowest response time.

Ironically, in January 2011, Texas man Chance Bothe drove off of a cliff after texting that he had to stop texting or risk dying in a car accident.

Bothe survived but sustained signifi-cant injuries and had to be revived from death three times.

MOVING OBJECTSWhether there’s a pet bouncing in the

front seat or children being boisterous in the back, passengers and items moving around the car are significant distractions.

Turning around to look at the kids or to reach for a ball that may be rolling around on the floor of the car can take a person’s eyes off the road.

If something really is important and needs to be addressed, it is much safer to pull over and take care of it before get-ting back on the road.

DAYDREAMINGMany people will admit to daydream-

ing behind the wheel or looking at a person or object outside of the car for too long.

Perhaps they’re checking out a house in a new neighborhood or thought they saw someone they knew on the street corner.

It can be easy to veer into the direc-tion your eyes are focused, causing an accident.

In addition to trying to stay focused on the road, some drivers prefer the help of lane departure warning systems.

EATINGThose who haven’t quite mastered

walking and chewing gum at the same time may want to avoid eating while driving.

The majority of foods require a per-son’s hands to be taken off of the wheel and their eyes to be diverted from the road.

Reaching in the back seat to share some french fries with the kids is also distracting.

Try to eat meals before getting in the car.

For those who must snack while en route, take a moment to pull over at a rest area and spend 10 minutes snacking there before resuming the trip.

READINGGlancing at an advertisement, updat-

ing a Facebook status or reading a book are all activities that should be avoided when driving.

Even pouring over a traffic map or consulting the digital display of a GPS system can be distracting.

When driving, attention should be placed on the task of safely getting from point A to point B.

All other activities taking place in the vehicle are distractions that can end up risking a person’s life.

<< DISTRACTIONS, continued from 2

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Fortunately, drivers can take several steps to do just that.

• Park the vehicle in a garage. Leaving your car in the driveway in the

winter means you might have to dig the vehicle out come winter snowstorms.

But that’s not the only inconvenience of parking your vehicle outside in the winter, as doing so can adversely affect its fuel economy.

When possible, park the car in the ga-rage, as this increases the initial temper-ature of the engine, engine oil, drive-line fluids and the vehicle’s cabin.

• Disregard conventional wisdom. Conventional wisdom has long sug-

gested that idling a vehicle for several minutes will warm up the engine more quickly than simply driving.

But many vehicle manufacturers now recommend that drivers idle their vehicles for no more than 30 seconds, noting that idling the car unnecessarily wastes fuel and that driving the vehicle is the fastest way to warm up its engine.

If you must warm up the vehicle, stick

to the now widely accepted guideline that recommends idling for no more than half a minute.

Another nugget of conventional wisdom motorists may want to ignore concerns the motor oil they use in the winter.

Many vehicle manufacturers now recommend a specific type of oil to use when driving in cold weather, so follow that advice instead of adhering to past practices that may not have been as fuel efficient.

• Monitor tire pressure. As noted, colder temperatures decrease

tire pressure, so drivers should monitor their tire pressure regularly throughout win-ter to keep their vehicle safe and to ensure they are not wasting fuel.

• Remove the roof rack. Summer adventurists who love tying

their mountain bike or kayak to their ve-hicles’ roof rack before heading off to ex-plore parts unknown should remove those roof racks when the temperatures dip.

Roof racks increase wind resistance and decrease fuel economy, so remove them during the offseasons.

Get a grip on cold-weather tire tractionMatt Shackelford

Les Schwab Tire Center, Sequim

Winter is coming. Are you ready? How about your car? Is it “traction ready?” Do your driving needs require winter tires or are all-season tires sufficient? Having the right type of tires for your driving needs can save on those white-

knuckle experiences. With a little preparation, those times can be limited, and smooth sailing to

grandma and grandpa’s house will be had by all. In the Pacific Northwest, we see all types of weather — from torrential rains

to snow storms. Having the right tire can vary for everyone. For years, the most popular choice has been the studded tire, but the studless

snow tire and specific all-season tires are becoming a lot more popular. An aggressive tread design tire with small metal studs, the studded tire is by

far the best option when it comes to snow and ice. As you click-clack down the road, the open tread pattern grips away at snow

while the studs bite into the slippery ice. But the convenience factor is diminished some due to the fact that they are

only legal from Nov. 1-April 1, thus creating the rush to change from all-season tires to studded every fall and back again in the spring.

Another option that is gaining a lot of popularity is the studless snow tire. Studless tires use a combination of tread design and special rubber com-

pounds to create traction. Like a studded tire, an aggressive tread pattern is used, but in that tread pat-

tern is bunch of small cuts called “siping.” This siping creates a lot more biting surface on the road and is paired with a

special rubber compound that gets stickier the colder it becomes. You now have a great traction tire that is quiet and has good performance in

wet, dry or snowy weather. Although it is legal to use year-round, this tire design will wear faster in the

warmer months, so changing from winter and summer is advised.

<< FUEL, continued from 3

>> TIRES, continued on 7

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Car battery care makes for safer winter drivingMetroCreative

Few things can be more frustrating than jumping into the driver’s seat on a frosty morning, turning the key in the ignition and failing to hear the engine roar to life.

Frigid weather can cause trouble with a car’s battery.

Some drivers do not understand why, but getting the facts can help people avoid having to deal with dead batteries on cold winter days.

Cold temperatures wreak havoc on batteries because they slow the chemical reaction inside of the battery.

Batteries work by combining lead plates with lead dioxide and sulfuric acid to create electrons.

While batteries can function under myriad conditions, the cold weather tends to degrade high-quality batteries and may render subpar batteries useless.

The cold weather can cause the fluid in the battery to freeze and lose function.

A battery that is frozen will not hold

a charge, and, as a result, the car won’t start.

There are various ways to protect a battery from failure in the cold, and

some of them involve taking precaution-ary measures even before the arrival of cold weather.

• Assess the age of your battery. If your battery is old, now may be the

time to replace it. Batteries differ in how long they last,

but many last anywhere from five to 10 years.

If your car is still running on its original battery and your car is several years old, it may be a good idea to get a new bat-tery before the arrival of winter.

Battery size will not necessarily provide better starting.

It’s important to buy the correct battery for the make of your car, which can usually be found inside of the owner’s manual.

• Verify that there is no corrosion.Corrosion can prevent a car from start-

ing just as much as a worn-out battery. Corrosion is caused by a faulty connec-

tion that allows battery acid to escape and corrode surrounding areas. Regularly

inspect the battery to keep abreast of issues that may cause corrosion.

Carefully clean away any corrosive residue that has formed and make sure the battery is correctly seated.

• Install a battery blanket. A battery blanket is used to wrap

around the battery and fit inside of the battery cover.

A cord with a plug runs from the blanket to a wall outlet. The blanket can produce enough heat to keep the bat-tery fluid from freezing.

A trickle charger can also be mounted on the battery.

It will deliver enough power to the battery while the car is off to keep it from freezing.

• Minimize the use of automotive accessories.

Do not start the car with the heater and the radio on.

They can use up the power coming from the car’s alternator and prevent the battery from charging.

Do not leave the heat and the radio on while the car is idling; otherwise, the car will not be putting out enough power for the alternator to charge the battery and power the electrical systems.

• Disconnect the battery. If your car will be stored in a garage

for the winter, disconnect the battery. Certain devices, such as clocks and

alarm systems, continue to drain battery power when the vehicle is off.

If your car will not be driven enough to recharge the battery, keep it discon-nected when the automobile is being stored.

Cold weather can sometimes wreak havoc on vehicles.

Knowing how to skirt trouble with your car’s battery can keep your car on the road throughout the winter.

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All-season tires have come a long way over the years in terms of trac-tion and wear.

Tread designs offer quiet, long-last-ing traction used year-round in most conditions.

As mentioned earlier, siping can add a lot more traction to any tire.

On the studless tires, siping is built into the mold when the tire is being made.

While the same is true on all-season tires, there is minimal benefit from the factory.

This is why additional siping, usu-ally during installation, is so helpful

in the aid of traction, especially for our climate here in the Pacific Northwest.

While not quite to level of traction seen with studded or studless tires, having a good all-season tire with siping offers affordable, year-round traction.

No matter if you drive a little or a lot or if you charge into a snowstorm or stay at home to wait it out, regu-larly checking over the tread depth and air pressure of your tires can alert you to any problems that may develop with your tires and help you prepare for bad weather driving.

These things can go a long way to getting you “traction ready,” and grandma and grandpa will appreciate it, too.

Things to know about motor oil

MetroCreative

When it comes to tak-ing care of their vehicles, many motorists prefer to be overly cautious.

While that’s not neces-sarily a bad thing, there are times when being too cautious can unnecessarily cost you money.

Motor oil, and when to change that oil, has long been a point of contention.

Many drivers grew up being told that motor oil should be changed every 3,000 miles; however, that myth has been debunked for many of today’s ve-hicles, which should come with suggested intervals between oil changes.

According to Edmunds.com, in 2010 the average interval for oil changes was 7,800 miles.

In addition to chang-ing a car’s motor oil less frequently, there are other things drivers should know about motor oil.

• Oil does not neces-sarily need to be changed before a long trip.

Taking a trip? While it’s good to have your car examined before embark-ing, if the recommended oil change interval is not up, then you do not need to preemptively change your oil.

Such a change is likely unnecessary and will not improve the performance of your vehicle during the trip.

• Black oil does not necessitate a change.

Conventional wisdom once suggested if the oil on the dipstick is

black then it needs to be changed.

But nowadays automo-tive professionals are noting that black oil is doing its job and different additives might be chang-ing the oil’s color, which means the oil doesn’t need to be changed.

• You can use petro-leum-based oil after using synthetic.

Another longstanding myth regarding motor oil was that once you use a synthetic motor oil instead of a petroleum-based oil you have to continue using synthetic oil, which is often more expensive than more traditional motor oil, in order to avoid harming the vehicle; however, automotive pro-fessionals have noted that these two types of oils are now often blended,

meaning switching back and forth from one to the other is not likely to cause any damage to your vehicle.

• Consider an earlier oil change after buying a new vehicle.

Sometimes a new vehi-cle will need an oil change after its first 3,000 miles.

This does not mean your vehicle will need one every 3,000 miles.

According to Blackstone Laboratories, which stud-ies motor oil, oil samples taken from engines during their initial 3,000 miles of driving had elevated metal levels from the cam-shafts and pistons.

These elevated levels will not necessarily be harmful, but some auto manufacturers recom-mend a shorter initial interval just to be safe.

<< TIRES, continued from 5

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:a well-stocked kit can be a life-saver

By Susan Stuart Circle & Square Auto Care, Port Hadlock

We have had such a glorious spring, summer and fall this year, but it is time to start thinking about winter travel.

Winter can be tough on car and driv-er, and there are some simple strate-gies/tips to help make travel safer and less stressful.

Check your tires and make sure your chains fit before the first winter storm.

Check your tread depth and tire pressure during cold weather.

The best thing to do would have an Automotive Service Excellence-certified technician use a tire tread depth gauge, which would be part of a winterization scheduled maintenance at most places.

Another option is to insert a quarter into the tread of the tire, with George Washington’s head upright.

If you can see the hairline of the United States’ first president, then you need to replace the tire.

Perform this test on each of your vehicle’s four tires.

Remember, tire shops and mechan-ics are busiest just before and during winter storms, so planning ahead will eliminate some of the delay.

Get a vehicle winter maintenance check-up.

Don’t wait to check your battery, belts, hoses, radiator, lights, brakes, heater/defroster and wipers.

Keep your fuel tank full; don’t let it fall below half a tank on winter trips.

Program your radio for traffic reports and emergency messages (for WSDOT radio: 530 and 1610 AM).

Add some winter “travel gear,” such as tire chains, ice scraper/snowbrush and jumper cables, and you will be ready to head out with a sense of secu-rity and readiness.

Last but not least, keep a basic win-ter survival kit in your vehicle.

PREPARE A CHECKLIST• First-aid kit: A first-aid kit can

treat cuts and abrasions suffered while you are out of the car and even some minor injuries that may result if you are in a car accident.

Include essential items like adhesive tape, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, aspirin, bandages, a cold com-press, gauze and scissors.

Visit www.redcross.org for a more extensive list of items to include in your first-aid kit, which should be kept

in your car at all times.• Tools: It’s important to include

tools in your automotive emergency kit.

While a full toolbox might be un-necessary, bring along an adjust-able wrench, a flat head and Phillips

screwdriver, a pair of pliers, a tire jack and crow bar, an ice scraper and a flashlight.

Extra roadside flares and reflectors also should be packed should you need to pull over and address an automotive problem, such as a flat tire.

Keep a tire pressure gauge in your glove compartment or with your other tools so you can check tire pressure if you feel your car is not operating as smoothly as it normally does.

• Fluids: While it’s best to check all of your vehicle’s fluids before begin-ning a long trip, it does not hurt to bring along some extra fluids just in case you start to run low while out on the road.

Fluids to pack include motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid.

Include a funnel with these items so you can easily pour them in should you be running low.

Pack an empty spray bottle as well so you have something to spray washer fluid from if a problem arises with your wiper blades.

• Wiper blades: Include an extra set of wiper blades in your automotive emergency kit.

Maintaining wiper blades is an oft-overlooked component of vehicle main-tenance, so bring along an extra set of blades should your existing blades succumb to wear and tear while you’re on the road.

• Miscellaneous items: Some items that may not seem synonymous with road trips can come in handy should you find yourself in an emer-gency.

Pack a blanket so you and your pas-sengers can stay warm should your car break down at night.

In addition, pack some energy bars and bottled water so no one gets too hungry or thirsty while waiting for help to arrive.

It also is good to keep a pair of work gloves in your car so you can still use your tools or change a tire when the temperatures dip or your hands get sweaty on hot days.

Information from MetroCreative was used in this article.


Falling leaves present safety hazards on roads

MetroCreative

Watching leaves turn brilliant shades of color and fall from the trees is a favorite activity each autumn.

While falling leaves can be a sight to behold, those leaves can become a nuisance to drivers in various ways. Understanding certain inconveniences and safety risks posed by falling leaves can help motorists protect their vehicle and themselves.

STAININGLeaves can do more than just stain driveways; they also can damage a vehicle’s

paint job. Should wet leaves, sap and other chemicals that leach out of the leaves stay on a

car for an extended period of time, they can cause an outline stain and damage to the paint. It’s important to manually pick leaves off of the car’s surface right after they fall.

Do not sweep them away; otherwise, the leaves can scratch the paint surface. When all the leaves have been removed, thoroughly wash and dry the vehicle.Should stains be present already, use a commercial leaf-stain remover or automo-

tive paint cleaner. Tackle one stain at a time.

CLOGGINGLeaves that fall can become trapped in air intake vents, eventually impeding flow

and causing odors.

Leaves that fall in the groove of the windshield by the windshield wipers should be removed. Use a high-powered shop vacuum to remove any leaves that are im-bedded in the venting.

Check other areas of the car where leaves can become problematic, such as un-der the vehicle or in the exhaust pipe.

SLIPPERY SURFACESWet leaves can make roadways quite slippery, even as slippery as roadways when

snow is falling. Drivers should slow down when roads are covered with wet leaves and take turns and off-ramps more carefully.

Dry leaves also can pose problems, as they tend to accumulate at the edges of roads, where they easily can obscure curbs or street markings.

Leaves may fill potholes, giving the false impression that a road is smooth and causing damage to tires and suspension systems when drivers drive over them.

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Well-maintained headlights improve driver safety

Transporting trees, gifts

MetroCreative

Few drivers remember to maintain their headlights, a potentially dangerous oversight that can compromise the safety of drivers and their fellow motorists.

When coupled with inclement weather, outdated or dirty headlights can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians and other vehicles.

Because headlights can have such a dramatic impact on driver safety, it’s important that motorists take the following steps to maintain their headlamps.

• Recognize when bulbs start to dim. As headlight bulbs age, their light output is reduced

by the effects of humidity, electrical resistance, filament fatigue and general usage.

Drivers should pay attention to how their headlights are performing, replacing any bulbs that are no longer providing adequate light.

• Upgrade your headlight bulbs. Bulbs that have started to dim need to be replaced,

but auto enthusiasts or maintenance-savvy drivers know they can upgrade their bulbs when replacing them.

Industry experts recommend replacing headlamp bulbs every two years, and replacing them in pairs to make sure the vehicle’s lighting is equally balanced.

But rather than sticking with the bulbs provided by

the car maker, look for a bulb that makes it easier to see at night and during hazardous conditions.

• Buy the bulbs that match your driving habits. Some drivers spend a significant amount of time

behind the wheel while others use their cars or trucks only to run errands or make short trips.

When replacing bulbs that have dimmed, be sure to choose a bulb that fits your driving habits.

• Keep wiper blades fresh. Wiper blades should be changed every three months,

as they can become brittle over time and, depending

on their frequency of use, can wear out, especially on older vehicles with pitting on the windshield.

When inspecting the wiper blades, remember to inspect your windshield washer as well, making sure that the washers are operating effectively and that the washer fluid basin has been refilled.

• Clean the interior glass and mirrors. Dirty interior glass and mirrors make it difficult for

drivers to see fellow motorists, so make removing any film buildup on such surfaces part of your routine vehicle maintenance.

Laura Lofgren and MetroCreative

With the holiday season fast ap-proacing, people are starting to plan their budgets for gifts and potentially a decorative tree.

Although it’s a joyous time of year, there are some ways to make it safer for all those involved when it comes to transportation.

Here are a few tips for packing up your car with gifts and transporting a tree.

PACKING THE CARIf a holiday road trip is in your future,

space constraints may require you to be a little creative when packing the car.

Shop for smaller gifts, including gift cards, which are easier to transport.

Advise family and friends that you will have limited space so they should not go overboard with regard to gifts given to you in return.

Heed safety precautions and do not obscure driver visibility in the car by stacking presents too high.

Also, secure boxes and packages in the

car so they do not slide or move around. Anything that is not secured can be-

come airborne in the event of a collision, increasing the risk for injury.

Items placed on roof racks should be tightly secured so they don’t fall off and present a hazard.

TRANSPORTING THE TREEAsk the tree seller to freshly cut the

bottom of the tree and wrap the entire tree in twine so it will be easier to move.

Place the tree on the roof of your car with the trunk facing the front of the car.

This way the wind will not fan out the branches and loosen up needles.

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Tips for driving in rainMetroCreative

Rainy weather can arrive any time of year.

While an afternoon spent indoors watching the drops fall can be relaxing, driving in the rain is anything but.

It requires extra concentration and improved reaction time.

Rainy conditions can be challenging and treacherous, and drivers should pro-ceed with caution on rain-slicked roads.

Rain is blamed for many accidents, but many of these situations are largely preventable among drivers who adapt to the weather and roadway conditions. Here are some things to consider.

• Reduced visibility occurs from wiper blades, glare (particularly at night) and heavy downpours.

When you are unable to see the road ahead, including other vehicles, reduce your speed.

If the rain is coming down in torrents, pull over to the side of the road and wait for a respite.

Turn on your lights to ensure you are visible to other cars on the road.

• Recognize that rain can cause slick conditions.

A film of water develops on the road-ways, and that can affect the perfor-mance of your vehicle’s tires.

Less traction means the car can slip and slide.

Hydroplaning, or coasting on the sur-face of the water, is common.

Another, lesser-known condition is slickness caused by grease and oil in the asphalt.

During a long dry spell, these sub-stances build up on the roads.

When it rains, the oil and water doesn’t mix, bringing the oils to the sur-face and exacerbating slick conditions.

The first few hours of a rainstorm can be quite dangerous until heavier rains wash the oils away.

• Water spraying up onto tires and brakes can compromise braking ability.

That means it could take longer to stop under wet conditions.

Leave extra room between vehicles, and do not tailgate.

If you drive through a puddle of water, pump the brakes and test them out to

be sure you can stop. Brake earlier so that other drivers

understand your intentions and can react accordingly.

• Avoid extremely large puddles. First of all, you cannot judge the depth

of the puddle and you may end up getting stuck, especially in the event of roadway flooding.

Water splashing into the engine com-partment may damage electrical com-ponents. Steer around puddles to be on the safe side.

• Use extra care watching out for pedestrians. A normally observant person may be distracted by the rain, puddles and wrangling an umbrella and veer into the path of cars.

Be mindful of the side of the roads and where pedestrians may be, such as around parked cars.

• Change wiper blades every three months, depending on use.

You do not want to be caught with shoddy wiper blades in poor conditions.

Without an effective wiper blade, rain cannot be cleared efficiently from the windshield.

• Limit distractions inside of the car to focus even more of your attention on the road.

While some have become accustomed to answering phone calls or fielding questions from the backseat while driv-ing, avoid such distractions when driving in the rain.

Turn down the radio if you must and encourage passengers to remain quiet until safely home.

• Leave extra time to get to your destination. Rain causes slowing down of traffic.

Rushing may increase your risk of being in an accident, so always leave extra travel time when driving in wet conditions.

• Make way for emergency per-sonnel. Accidents and bad weather are common.

Slow down or pull over to allow emer-gency vehicles to pass by.

If there are flashing lights on the side of the road, move into the left lane to give a wide girth around first responders.

Driving in the rain requires drivers to exercise caution. Making a few adjust-ments improves safety on the roadways.

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Handle car trouble while driving

Warning signs a tire is about to go flat

MetroCreative

Sudden car trouble is something no driver wants to experience, but many a driver has been driving down the highway only to feel his or her vehicle start to sputter.

When car trouble strikes while a vehicle is on the road, the first thing many drivers do is check their fuel gauges.

A car that runs out of gas is cer-tainly inconvenient, but if you can pull over to the shoulder or make it to the nearest filling station, then this unfortunate situation can be remedied rather easily.

But when a car’s tank is full and it is still showing signs of trouble, drivers must take steps to protect themselves, their passengers and their vehicles.

The following are a few simple tips motorists should keep in mind so they can safely handle any car trouble that may arise while they are out on the road.

• Keep a first-aid kit, spare tire and tire jack in the car at all times. Always keep a jack and spare tire

in your car, even if the spare is a donut you can temporarily use to replace a flat tire until you make it to a filling station or automotive supply store.

Keep a fully stocked first aid kit in your vehicle in case you cut yourself while changing the tire or need to address another medical situation.

• Make note of your surroundings. Some car troubles can only be fixed by the professionals, so pay careful attention to your surroundings in case an issue arises and forces you to pull over and call for help.

Always pay attention to mile mark-ers and any landmarks that might help you describe where you are.

• Pull over. Don’t panic if an issue arises suddenly. Remain calm and pull over onto the shoulder.

The right shoulder is the area for pulling over on most roads, but you may also use the left shoulder on multilane highways with medians.

Try to get as far away from traffic as possible without driving off of level ground, and always use your signals when pulling onto the shoulder.

If the vehicle can’t make it to the median, put your emergency flashers on and get out of the car, moving away from both the vehicle and traffic.

Immediately call for emergency roadside assistance.

• Use flares or triangles to alert other drivers.

So long as you are not risking your well-being, you can place flares and/or warning triangles behind your vehicle so oncoming traffic knows to drive around it.

AAA recommends placing the first flare or triangle 10 feet directly behind the side of the vehicle that is closest to the road.

The second should be placed between 30 and 60 feet (increase the distances as the posted speed limit increases) behind the middle of the bumper, while the third flare or tri-angle should be placed between 120 and 360 feet behind the side of the vehicle that’s farthest frin the road.

• Stay with the vehicle. Once you have called for help and set up flares or triangles, stay with the vehicle at a safe distance.

MetroCreative

Flat tires range from the inconvenient flats, which may interrupt a road trip or make drivers late for work or an appointment, to more dangerous blowouts, which can compromise the safety of drivers, their passengers and anyone else on the road when the tire gives out.

But as inconvenient or dangerous as flats or blowouts can be, they also can be prevented more often than not.

Tires often produce warning signs that a flat or blow-out is about to emerge, so drivers who want to avoid such unfortunate developments can inspect their tires for the following signs.

• Varying wear: Tires should exhibit the same type of wear. The wear on front tires and back tires may dif-fer, but one front tire should have the same amount of wear as the other and the same goes for the back tires.

• Low pressure: Drivers who do not routinely check their tire pressure are more likely to endure a flat or blowout than those who regularly make sure their tires are at the manufacturer-recommended pressure.

An underinflated tire is under stress that can cause the tire to blowout. In addition, poorly inflated tires force engines to work harder, which negatively affects a car’s fuel efficiency.

• Vibration: A car that vibrates excessively may do so because tires are damaged.

Poor suspension is another cause of excessive vibra-tion. Whatever is behind a car that is vibrating, drivers should immediately take the car to their mechanic for an inspection.

• Physical damage to the tire: Sometimes tires exhibit physical damage like bulges or cuts, and such signs could mean a flat tire or blowout is just around the corner.

Tires that exhibit such physical damage need to be replaced immediately.

Routinely checking tire pressure and inflating under-inflated tires is one way drivers can reduce their risk of flat tires and blowouts.

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Animals on the road

Snow, ice threaten cars

MetroCreative

Drivers may have mixed feelings on whether to put their lives in jeopardy to save an errant animal, but sometimes there is little time to make a decision.

As more neighborhoods and road-ways infringe on natural habitats, incidents of animals on the roadways figure to increase.

Deer, elk and smaller animals can wander out onto busy roads, and there’s no foolproof way to prevent it.

According to State Farm Insurance, an estimated 1.25 million claims hap-pened in the past year resulting from animal-car accidents.

The odds drivers will have a claim from hitting an animalsis 1 out of 169.

Knowing what to do when encoun-tering animals on the road can help drivers avoid accidents and injuries.

• Experts advise drivers to remain in their lanes and to attempt to slow down as quickly as possible when en-countering animals on the road.

Move slowly in the direction the animal was coming from if it’s safe, as animal instinct is to dart out in the direction it was going.

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Scan the edges of the road to see if animals are present.

Dawn and dusk are key times for ani-mals to be on the move looking for food.

Autumn is both hunting and mating season for deer, and they tend to travel a lot during this time of year.

• Obey speed limits and take signs warning of animal crossing hotspots seriously.

• Should you hit an animal, do not exit the car and approach it.

Injured animals can be dangerous, with pain driving them to flail, kick or bite.

Sharing roadways with animals is tricky. Remaining alert, slowing down in highly populated wildlife areas and avoiding swerving can reduce risk of accident or injury.

MetroCreative

Winter can be an unforgiving season. While it can test people’s patience, it

also can be harsh on cars and trucks. Understanding what components of a

vehicle can be compromised by drop-ping temperatures and snowy roads can help drivers take action to safeguard their automotive investments.

Properly servicing and caring for a car or truck can help.

Drivers should take their vehicles for a tune-up and inspection before wintry weather arrives.

A mechanic will examine the car battery and check antifreeze levels and make sure that the thermostat, defroster, brakes and even wiper blades are work-ing effectively.

Have the tires inspected for adequate tread, which can make navigating roads safer.

If the treads are worn, replace the tires.

In addition to visiting their mechanics, drivers can perform some inspections and fixes themselves.

• Check that all of the vehicle’s lights are operational so your car can be easily seen during inclement weather.

Exchange your existing windshield washer fluid with one that will not freeze

in cold conditions. Check the nozzles on the windshield-

washer system routinely and clear out any blockages of ice or debris.

While addressing windshield washer fluid, also replace worn out windshield wiper blades with ones that can with-stand snow and icy weather.

• A new coating of wax can serve as a shield against road salt, snow, sleet and rain.

Try a polymer wax to protect the paint. Whenever possible, rinse off salt and

grime so it does not dry on the car and gradually wear away at the paint.

Be sure to rinse off the undercarriage of the vehicle as well.

• Have your tires’ alignment checked toward the end of winter or early spring.

A season of traveling over pothole-rid-den roads or hitting curbs buried under snow drifts can affect the alignment.

• Use a soft snow brush or a foam brush to clear snow off of the car.

Avoid hard plastic scrapers you might use on your windshield, as they can scratch painted surfaces.

• Try to park the vehicle in a garage or under a car port.

Vehicles can be affected by the cold weather. Keep them running efficiently to prevent damage this winter.

Scrapers should only be used on windows and not on the body of the car.

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