Some tips for drivers can help keep cars running smoothly this winter.
GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY -- Icy roads and frigid cold temperatures aren't always the best combination when it comes to maintaining your car. But to keep your car or truck running properly this winter, there are some tips to keep in mind.
"One of the main things is your antifreeze, making sure it's at a good mixture which is good for negative 34 degrees, which is 50% water, 50% antifreeze...Good wipers to keep your windows clear," says automotive technician from Grand Traverse Transmission, Frank Hincks.
Hincks says keeping your tires properly inflated can also make for a much smoother ride.
"If you over inflate them, then you'll slide. If they're under inflated it'll make you slide back and forth also....A lot of people run them about four pounds below maximum pressure to leave room for expansion," says Hincks.
"The cold definitely causes your pressure to drop in your tires, I'd definitely check them at least once every two weeks," says assistant manager at Quality Lube in Interlochen, Scott Meyer.
Meyer says it's not just the tires but also your car batteries that tend to be effected by these cold temperatures...
"If it's a maintenance battery you'd want to have it checked for the proper voltage and if it's a battery that you can add water to then of course you need to add distilled water to the battery....If you have a car that you store in the winter time that you don't start your battery will definitely die fast in extreme cold temperatures, so you'd want to start your car at least once every two weeks," says Meyer.
In these cold temperatures, one of the main recommendations for drivers is letting your car run for a few minutes after you start it up.
"It's really hard on the motor to just start it up and go because you don't have all the proper lubrication and everything. Usually give it about 10, 15 minutes and by then the temperatures should be coming up and it's ok to go ahead and operate it," says Hincks.
Some other reminders to keep your car in shape this winter include: making sure your car battery terminals are clean because erosion can make it difficult for a car to charge a battery.
Also, keep a your wiper fluid full to keep your windshield clean of salt and dirt. Plus, if you're not sure if you're antifreeze is strong enough you can always have it tested at a local auto shop.
