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Murray's Discount Auto Stores' Automotive Expert Provides Tips On Winter Hardware to Keep Your Car Running Through Winter Storms

6 December 1999

Murray's Discount Auto Stores' Automotive Expert Provides Tips On Winter Hardware to Keep Your Car Running Through Winter Storms

    BELLEVILLE, Mich., Dec. 6 -- Don't let today's winter blast
keep you snowbound.  There are a variety of specialty items available for use
throughout the winter to keep cars winterized against the sudden cold, snow
and ice.  Greg Jones, Director of Training at Murray's Discount Auto Stores
suggests these specialty items to keep your car going during the winter:

    *  Battery Jump Start Units -- portable, pre-charged, ready to use, holds
       charge for three months; it is vital that motorists check their
       electrical systems to guard against failure during the winter season;
       Murray1s offers the latest in technology to do this FREE;
    *  Lock De-Icer -- insert stem into keyhole and spray inside to keep from
       freezing;
    *  Fix-A-Flat -- screw into valve stem and it inflates tire temporarily to
       allow travel to service station;
    *  Insta-Trak -- spray onto tire, and it allows better gripping action on
       ice and snow;
    *  Starting Fluids -- spray into carburetor to help a stubborn engine
       start on a cold day;
    *  Dry Gas -- pour into gas tank, it prevents gas line freeze;
    *  Emergency Road Kit -- includes many items, including jumper cables,
       fix-a-flats, battery chargers, etc. that every vehicle should possess
       in the winter in case of an emergency.
    *  Warm clothes, shovel, blanket, snow brush, traction material (kitty
       litter or rugs), reflective material, flashlight, medical kit, tool kit
       as well as a cellular phone should also be in the car in case of an
       emergency.

    Jones also recommends keeping the gas tank full, and letting the car run
for at least 3 to 5 minutes on a cold morning after starting to allow fluids
to circulate around it.  Visibility is improved by removing snow and ice from
the hood, roof, trunk, signals, lights, windows and mirrors.  Sudden stops
should be avoided, so allow more room between cars on a snowy, icy road.
Avoid sudden stops and turns so wheels don't spin.  Do not brake hard -- brake
with steady pressure firmly to a point just short of locking, then ease off
lightly.  This is better than pumping, especially with today's antilock
brakes.