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Vehicle check could save you hassle on cold mornings

Posted 2:31PM on Tuesday 12th November 2013 ( 10 years ago )
OAKWOOD - With dropping temperatures in the region, one thing that can aggravate you quickly on a cold morning is trouble with your vehicle.

Some of the potential issues include radiator fluid, tire pressure and batteries.

Mike Robertson, owner and operator of Oakwood Tire, said machines can now test how much life your battery has left. He said a replacement may be worth the money in the long haul.

"You may be replacing it early at 30 percent, but also with the cold snap, you could save yourself being late for work, or being late for a meeting, or getting the kids to school because it zapped it on that cold night," Robertson said.

He also said you should test or have tested the fluid in your radiator.

"If it were to have not enough anti-freeze in it, or it's broken down, if it freezes at 32 you could bust a (engine) block (or) you could bust a freeze plug in your engine. It would be a costly repair," Robertson said.

He also said tire pressure fluctuations with the cold can result in low pressure readings by your vehicle tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

While you can top off the tires with air, Robertson said inflating your tires with nitrogen eliminates the pressure fluctuation issue.

"If you set a tire at 32 or 34 pounds, with nitrogen it doesn't fluctuate. It will stay at 34 unless it has a leak like a nail or a foreign object in your tire," Robertson said.

He said his shop gets a lot a questions about TPMS and dropping tire pressure during cold snaps.

Robertson said the best times to prepare your vehicle for extreme weather is in Spring or early Fall, before the high heat or cold temperatures set in.
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