Vehicle maintenance critical during cold weather

Published 12:00 am Monday, February 2, 2004

By Ann Austin, Tribune staff reporter

Last week’s sub-zero temperatures have not only made it hard to get out of bed, but hard to get around town in cars that don’t run well or won’t start.

Car problems have become an increasing issue for citizens in the area. In fact, Tom Camery of Hanson Auto in Albert Lea, said business has increased by 10 people a day. John Evans from The Car Clinic, also in Albert Lea, has a similar situation.

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&uot;I can just about stand by the phone, there are so many calls,&uot; he said.

Local mechanics have found dead or poor batteries to be the biggest issue so far. Car batteries wear down with age, and wear down in warmer weather, Camery said.

People only need about 30 percent of the battery to run their car in temperate climates, but once a cold streak hits, car engines need all the energy they can get to start up in the morning, Evans said.

Often people don’t think to have their batteries checked while it’s still warm because they seem to work just fine, but when the cold comes the battery, doesn’t have enough (power) left,&uot; he said.

General maintenance can help avoid dead batteries. Evans advised drivers to get their vehicles checked before winter, to have the battery tested, get new spark plugs.

&uot;You’ve

got to know what you’ve got&uot; he said, &uot; and understand what kind of care your car needs.&uot;

Camery commented on how manufacturer’s car manuals are a great source of information but insisted that people should follow a regular maintenance program.

&uot;Most of the time you can save money if you take these precautions,&uot; Evans said, &uot;especially on the towing bill.&uot;

Other problems that have appeared due to cold weather are coolant leaks, and broken door handles.

Broken door handles can easily be avoided if people take care when it’s cold since the plastic becomes brittle and will break if pulled too hard, said Marc Collins from Collins Auto Repair, Albert Lea.

Coolant leaks are difficult to avoid since rubber hoses which supply the coolant contract and crack in the cold, he said.

It is important to warm vehicles properly; he suggested that people should plug their engine into a block heater mornings if they can.

&uot;It makes such a big difference as far as the engine goes,&uot; he said.

(Contact Ann Austin at ann.austin@albertleatribune.com or 379-3435.)