Local News
Save money, get the most out of driving by winterizing your car
Danie M. Huffman
wdreporter2@yahoo.com
When preparing for colder weather, most people take necessary precautions to keep their children warm and perhaps their animals and homes, but many overlook their vehicles.
Local mechanics say that’s one thing you should place as a priority. Winter storms often strand motorists while traveling in North Texas. Winter storms have even been known to strike South Texas towns and coastal areas.
When winter advisories are predicted, experts advise to monitor TV and radios while tuned into the National Weather Service forecast and NOAA Weather Radio for information. If you must travel during bitter weather, keep your gas gauge near full to avoid ice accumulating in your tank. Fuel lines work better when filled. But the number one recommendation is to never travel alone.
Chris Bragg, owner of Cliff’s Auto Service Center Inc., said many common vehicle problems associated with winter are easily avoided with proper maintenance and prevention.
Bragg said the number one winter problem he has seen in his 20 years of servicing cars is people not flushing their coolant or servicing their radiator before winter strikes.
“It will stop up the heater core,” Bragg said. “You want to make sure to have a winter check performed on your vehicle before the first freeze comes.”
Tory McNeely, manager of Cliff’s, agrees.
“A simple winter tune-up can be very beneficial,” he said. “If the coolant is not changed, it breaks down the water pump and makes the thermostat stick and causes a lot of damage.”
McNeely, who has been in the field for more than a decade, recommends the coolant be changed every 60,000 miles.
Other tips from McNeely and Bragg include not using hot water to defrost windshields and making sure wiper washer fluid is not diluted to avoid freezing.
McNeely said tire pressure also changes with cooler weather, so checking it is wise.
“Also, never allow less than 3/30 seconds of tread on your tires,” McNeely said. “Anything less than that is dangerous.”
Cliff’s Auto takes walk-ins or appointments to check cars for winter problems. Most checks are performed as a courtesy, others require a minimal diagnostic fee.
McNeely said it’s always cheaper on your budget to pay a small fee for a check up than to wait until the issue escalates into a problem.
“By that time, costs can be a lot higher,” he said.
McNeely advises never start your car and immediately then put it in drive.
“In colder months, everything freezes overnight and it could tear up your engine,” he said. “It needs a few minutes to warm up.”
His last recommendation is to change the radiator cap.
“It weathers and cracks,” McNeely said. “It’s basically like dry rot and the rubber seal wears out.”
- Local News
-
-
Hannah’s House seeks helpers for court ordered, supervised visitations
WILLOW PARK — Did you know several tragedies involving children have prompted new Texas laws for increased safety and reduced trauma for children of divorced parents? Now more than ever, there is an increased demand for safe supervised visitations and conflict-free child exchange between divorced parents.
-
2010 Hamfest set for March 27
WEATHERFORD — Sponsored by the Amateur Radio Club of Parker County, the 2010 Weatherford Hamfest is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at Couts United Methodist Church, 802 N. Elm St. in Weatherford.
-
Roos baseball, softball rescheduled
Due to Tuesday's local weather, Weatherford High School baseball and softball games have been rescheduled.
- Weatherford College offices closed for Spring Break
-
Chuckwagon Camp at Doss set for spring break
WEATHERFORD — For three days, children in the fifth grade through adults can learn about the challenges pioneers and cowboys had cooking on the trail.
-
Library to offer Spring Break fun
WEATHERFORD — Spring Break 2010 is here and the Weatherford Public Library is offering a full schedule of children’s activities.
-
Annual golf tourney set for April 1
WEATHERFORD — The Weatherford ISD Education Foundation will host its ninth annual Fools for Schools Golf Tournament Thursday, April 1 at Split Rail Links and Golf Club.
-
WC raises tuition
Parker County residents who choose to attend Weatherford College this fall will pay $4 more per semester hour; the 6.6 percent increase to $65 per semester hour was approved by Weatherford College trustees in regular session Thursday.
-
Weatherford College raises tuition rates
Parker County residents who choose to attend Weatherford College this fall will pay $4 more per semester hour; the 6.6 percent increase to $65 per semester hour was approved by Weatherford College trustees in regular session Thursday.
- Sheriff's Activity Call Log
- More Local News Headlines
-
Hannah’s House seeks helpers for court ordered, supervised visitations
