Preparing your car for winter driving

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brian Jones
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Driving in winter presents a number of challenges and traveling in a vehicle not properly prepared for the season can compound the risk of accident and injury. Incirlik's Auto Hobby Shop can provide all the services necessary to ensure base members are ready for winter travel.

One of the first things that often comes to mind when preparing a vehicle for the winter is making sure the car's coolant/anti-freeze is up to speed.

"Typically, Incirlik doesn't get too far below freezing, but some folks drive up into the mountains in the winter," said Tony DeMarco, Incirlik's Auto Hobby Shop manager. "The best thing to do is to check your owner's manual for the interval (when to change) and type of fluid your vehicle requires."

Some cars on Incirlik require specific types of coolant that can't be readily found off base, but are stocked by the Auto Hobby Shop.

"GM cars require fluid not found in Turkey," said Mr. DeMarco. "If you get your vehicle serviced off base, you could get the wrong anti-freeze which could cause more problems in the future."

Temperature fluctuations during the winter will cause changes in tire pressure. Making sure tires are properly inflated can decrease the chance of tire damage and accidents.
"Tire pressure will fluctuate and will usually lose one to three pounds per square inch per month," said Mr. DeMarco. Colder temperatures will cause further drops in pressure. "For every one degree drop in temperature, you'll lose one PSI," added the Auto Hobby Shop manager.

Mr. DeMarco recommends checking your tire pressure once a week, but at a minimum, once a month when tires are cold. Check the inside of the vehicle's door for proper tire pressure. Both over- and under-inflated tires pose a risk.

"If tire pressure is too low, the tires will generate more heat which can cause a blow out," he said. "Too much pressure can reduce the tire's grip and decrease stability."

Another area of concern as winter approaches is the vehicle's battery. With the changing weather, the mechanics at the Auto Hobby Shop see an increase in battery failures.

"Many of the failures are self-inflicted," said Mr. DeMarco. "People are running their cars for much too short a time and not allowing their cars enough time to recharge. My advice is to drive your car. Get out and see some of what Turkey has to offer."

The professionals at the Auto Hobby Shop also recommend changing the vehicles filters at least once a year to combat the dusty conditions prevalent at Incirlik.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association provides the following checklist to prepare your vehicle for safe winter driving.

-- Get your car serviced now.
-- Check your battery.
-- Check your cooling system.
-- Fill the washer reservoir.
-- Check windshield wipers and defrosters.
-- Inspect your tires

Proper vehicle servicing should be maintained throughout the year, not just during the winter. Many people on Incirlik have the misconception that because they don't drive their vehicles as often here, close attention to proper vehicle servicing isn't a necessity.

"People tend to ignore things they wouldn't ignore back in the States because they only drive on base at 25 miles per hour," said Mr. DeMarco. "But, those things can come back and bite you. If you don't maintain your vehicle here and it breaks, it could keep you from leaving Turkey on time."

In addition to common servicing and maintenance, the mechanics at the shop have brake and transmission flush machines and will have a new alignment rack in place by mid-January. The shop is also open to people who want to perform their own vehicle maintenance.

"We don't have to do all of the repair work," said Mr. DeMarco. "If people want to come in and work on their own cars, we're more than happy to teach them."

The Auto Hobby Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and can be reached at 676-6655.