northernsentry

Winter driving can be trying on both the vehicle and its pilot. As with many other things in life, preparation is the key to success. A few cold-weather parts and preparatory procedures can make the difference between being stuck in a drift and making it home.

Cold weather makes pliable materials stiffer and more brittle. It also makes fl uids thicker. With this in mind, people who live in extreme climates often use light-viscosity synthetic lubricants, which work across a wider temperature range than conventional oil. Those who don’t want the added expense sometimes use lighter-weight oils in the winter, such as 5W30.

Antifreeze should be kept at approximately a 60:40 coolant-to-water ratio. In extreme conditions, too little antifreeze in the mix can allow the coolant to freeze and crack the engine block. Installing a highertemperature thermostat will help heater performance and help the engine burn off condensation.

Battery maintenance will also improve cold-weather performance. For batteries that require maintenance, make sure that all cells are full of water. Keep all battery terminals and cable ends clean, and make sure the battery is well grounded. Several engine-block heating systems are available, both on the OE level and from the aftermarket. Most new vehicles sold in cold country come with factory-installed block heaters that replace one of the engine’s freeze plugs or connect to the heater hose.

PRE- FLIGHT CHECK

• Perform a check of brakes, lights, defroster/ heater, fl uid levels, belts, hoses and exhaust system.

• Check the condition of wiper blades and consider upgrading to winter/snow blades. Always “park” blades before turning off the vehicle to minimize chances of sticking to the glass. Better yet, lift blades off the glass overnight.

• Check the coolant level and make sure that the radiator has the proper mixture of antifreeze and water.

• Check tire infl ation to verify optimal tire contact with the road.

• Keep the gas tank at least half full. This limits the amount of condensation that can enter the fuel system and also can improve traction, especially in rear-wheel-drive vehicles, by adding weight. Adding gasoline antifreeze to the fuel tank will help protect against fuel-line freezing.

• Consider adding weight to the trunk or pickup bed in rear-wheel drive vehicles. Bags of sand both add traction-improving weight and can be dumped on ice to improve traction further. w

• Before departing, scrape ice and snow from the roof in addition to every window, mirror and light. Never splash hot water on glass to melt ice.

• Lube door locks and latches and coat weather stripping with silicone spray to help keep doors from freezing shut.

• Put extra winter clothes, blankets and sleeping bag in the trunk, take water and food, such as energy bars, pack a fl ashlight, extra batteries, matches, fi rst-aid kit, and take along a cell phone if possible.

 

MSGT JARROD NELSON 5TH BOMB WING OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY