DENVER, Oct. 4 - The time to winterize a vehicle is before the first snow flake falls, which will help prevent a breakdown at the worst possible time. AAA has designated October as Car Care Month to remind all motorists to check their vehicles before the onset of winter driving conditions. Following is a checklist from AAA Colorado: Check the tires — They should always be inflated to their specified poundage and have enough tread to handle all road conditions. To check tire tread, look for “wear bars” that periodically run across the hollow of each tread. If the tread has been worn down to the same height as the wear bar, it’s time for new tires. Check the battery — Cold weather is hard on batteries. At a comparatively mild 32 degrees, a battery is 35 percent weaker than at warmer temperatures. At zero degrees, a car’s battery loses approximately 60 percent of its strength. A battery load test performed by a qualified technician will determine a battery’s strength for winter starts. Check the windshield wipers, fluid and defroster — Driving with a wet, snow- or ice-covered windshield invites a crash. Make sure wipers and the defroster are in good working order. Verify that windshield washer fluid reservoirs are filled with no-freeze washer fluid. Check the engine coolant system — Mix the cooling system antifreeze with an equal portion of water for maximum protection. Have a repair facility check the level of protection with a hydrometer. For more information on automotive issues and to find a AAA approved auto mechanic in your area, go to www.aaa.com/carmaintenance. AAA Colorado reaches one in four households in the state and is an advocate for safety and security for all travelers. As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its nearly 49 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services, as well as member-exclusive savings. ###
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