Experts offer winter car care tips

BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) - A car goes through a lot in the winter, first by driving through snow and ice and now the frigid temperatures.

Mechanics at Christmas Automotive Repair in Boardman said winter is taking a toll on cars.

"I do fuel pumps mostly almost every day," Tom Christmas said.

Christmas said when it's this cold out, motorists should not run their gas tank down to E and should have at least a quarter tank.

"The pumps run and they get very hot and then you go put gas in it and it cools it down real fast and that's what ruins the pumps. Then you're talking $500, $600 to put a fuel pump in," Christmas said.

People also should check their antifreeze level, which should be done when the oil is changed.

"If your antifreeze is weak, it gets down below zero, it freezes. And when it freezes, it expands and when it expands, it cracks blocks," Christmas said.

The service shop at  Sweeney Chevrolet in Boardman is seeing a lot of cars come in with low tire pressure.

"The sensors in the tires are very sensitive. Like if they go down maybe just 2 pounds, it will kick a light on. It's not like there's anything wrong with it. Just the cool weather will make it fluctuate," said Anthony Valiquette of Sweeney Chevrolet.

The dealership said to always check the car's battery and fluids.

"Fluid exchanges. Those are very common as well cause the fluids will weaken over time and it's always a good idea to get them changed at the due mileage," Valiquette said.

Before driving, motorists should let the car warm up a bit so the oil and fluids can lubricate everything.

If the windshield wipers are frozen to the window, tap them loose with a snow scraper.

"Cause the first thing you do, you jump in your car and turn the wipers on. If they're frozen to the window, it breaks the wiper arms and the wiper motors," Christmas said. 

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