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    PAGE 6B PRESS & DAKOTAN n MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2017 2017 Fall Car Care Safety Measures Prevent Breakdowns For Winter Drivers With Battery Care Winter weather causes many people to retreat indoors until the spring thaw. However, for those who embrace the cooler temperatures or find that life must go on despite snow and ice, taking inventory of their vehicles is a must before the first snowflakes start to fall. Tire care is an especially important area of vehicle maintenance. The tire experts at Michelin say that regular tires may be ineffective for winter driving. Summer tires are made from materials that are optimized for warm conditions. When the mercury drops, these same materials can harden, reducing their ability to grip the road. That lack of traction can be compounded by the presence of snow or ice. Even all-season tires, which are designed to be driven year-round, can be insufficient in severe weather conditions. Winter tires can help drivers safely navigate winter roadways. Bridgestone Tires says that having the right snow tires matters when driving in winter weather conditions. It s important to look for tires that can disperse water sufficiently and also grip the road. Snow tires are designed to remain softer and more flexible to con- form to the road better in cold conditions. Some winter tires are even studded to provide better traction. Unfortunately, even the best winter tires cannot provide perfect traction on slippery roadways. That is why it is essential in conjunction with the use of winter tires or snow chains, to modify driving techniques to navigate safely. Drive slowly. Slow down on winter roads. Allow a greater distance for stopping than for dry conditions. Slippery conditions can make it more challenging to stop, and excessive speeds can make the situation worse. Shift into low gear. On hills, rely on low gears to maximize traction to travel up and down hills. This can minimize skids or sliding. Get the vehicle a tuneup. In addition to tires, be sure the braking system, battery and other major components of the vehicle are in good working order. Replace windshield wipers. Reduced visibility can compromise the safety of drivers and their passengers. Replace windshield wiper blades before winter arrives. Consider purchasing winter-rated windshield blades. Know how to recover from a skid. When skids occur on black ice or slush, drivers should take their feet off of the pedals and steer gently in the direction they want to go. As the vehicle regains traction, only then should the brakes or accelerator be applied. Winter weather requires making some vehicle modifications, and drivers may want to alter the way they drive to be more safe on the road. MetroCreativeConnection RON S AUTO GLASS FREE Rock Chips Through Most Insurance Companies WINDSHIELD REPAIR & REPLACEMENT Topper Glass Plexi Glass Mirrors Quick Service Quality Work Competitive Prices Mobile Glass Service Over s ar 30 Ye nce! ie Exper AUTO TRUCK HEAVY EQUIPMENT We now replace residential and commercial glass Ron Evans, Owner 1915 Broadway (Next to Dairy Queen) Yankton, SD GREGG S AUTOMOTIVE FULL AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE nic & Mechaervice uto S A TIRES (INCLUDES MOTORCYCLE TIRES) BRAKES OIL CHANGE HEATER REPAIR TUNE-UPS PERSONAL SERVICE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIAGNOSTICS WE DO SERVICE CALLS Gregg Hanson, Owner/Auto Tech 39 Yrs. Exp. 606 E. 8th St., Yankton 665-8683 605-665-9841 Quality d Used Cars 1999 Ford Taurus Wagon 1 Owner 131K $3,295 2005 Buick Terraza AWD 158K $4,295 2006 Chysler Touring Van 160K $2,995 Many drivers have experienced the misfortune of getting into their vehicles only to realize their engines won t turn over. Although there may be plenty of reasons why a car will not start, quite frequently a dead battery is to blame. Car batteries can last for five years or more when properly cared for, but many batteries wear down and become inefficient within three years of daily use. According to the UK-based company Warranty Wise, car batteries deteriorate with every charge from a vehicle s engine. Naturally, drivers who are stranded by dead batteries wish they had done more to prevent their battery dying while they re on the road. Certain factors might offer clues as to how much life vehicle batteries have left. Longer start time: A dying battery may cause the engine to crank, but it can be slow to start or not seem to exude a lot of power. Cranks but doesn t start: You may turn the key to hear the engine trying to turn over, but it won t. Even if the vehicle eventually starts, have the battery checked and, if necessary, replaced by a mechanic. A jump start has been necessary: Batteries that have required a jump or multiple jumps are on their last legs and should be replaced immediately. Dim lights or check engine indicator: Batteries powers the electric components in a vehicle, so dim lights could be indicative of a loss of power. Having the check engine light come on also can be a clue. MetroCreativeConnection Signs Rotors May Need To Be Replaced The braking system of most vehicles consists of brake pads, calipers and metal discs called rotors that work to slow down a vehicle. When the vehicle needs to stop, the calipers squeeze the brake pads against the spinning rotors. Because a lot of friction is generated, rotors, like brake pads, need to be replaced periodically. However, drivers may not know when these components need to be changed or if other services can be done to prolong the life of the rotors a little longer. The first step is to inspect the braking system. A healthy brake rotor will be smooth and have an uninterrupted surface that is free of dust, grooves and grit, advises automotive retailer Happiness is... Driving your car after it s been in our shop! Your One-Stop Body Shop We ll take the ache out of your headache. Complete Body Repair on All Makes and Models Paintless Dent Repair Glass Installation & Fiberglass Work Extreme temperatures: According to Firestone, hot or cold temperatures can shorten a battery s life. If you live in an extreme climate, your battery may not last as long as the manufacturer suggests it should. Short driving trips: People who take many short trips (less than 20 minutes each) may find their batteries do not have enough time to fully recharge, shortening their life expectancy. Pungent aroma: Leaking and corrosion around the battery terminals can cause battery issues. If there is a rotten egg smell under the hood, it may be a leaking battery on its way to dying. Drivers can have their vehicle batteries tested by mechanics. Batteries can be replaced at home or at a garage. Servicing the vehicle frequently can prevent performance inefficiencies and help determine if any components are straining the battery and causing premature loss of battery life. CarsDirect. If brake pads have caused grooves to form, the pads or the rotors may need to be replaced. Another tactic is to listen for brake noise when driving. Mechanics state that noise is commonly associated with bad brake rotors. If the rotors produce squealing or squeaking noises or even scraping noises while braking, they may need to be replaced. Warped rotors also may produce vibrations that can be felt when the brakes are applied. A pulsing or rough feeling can vibrate through the entire chassis, says YourMechanic, a vehicle repair and advice website. Speak with a qualified mechanic to see if a lathe can be used to shave off a little of the rotors and get a few more miles out of them. Otherwise, to ensure safe, adequate braking, rotors will need to be replaced anywhere from 30,000 to 70,000 miles depending on the type of brake pads and motorists driving style. MetroCreative Connection Yankton Transmission Specialists Member Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association Troy Kabella 665 - 1 75 1 FOREIGN & DOMESTIC Transmissions Drive Lines Transfer Cases Differentials 2409 E. Hwy. 50 Yankton Toll Free 1 -888-665-1 75 We guarantee our work 1 Protect What s Most Precious To You Life can change in an instant. Make sure your family is protected with comprehensive auto insurance from M.T. & R.C. Smith Insurance. We can t prevent a crisis, but we ll be here to help you get back on your feet. Don t Gamble ...Insure With ALL MAJOR INSURANCE ACCEPTED 1702 Broadway, Yankton 605.665.5925 Your direct repair body shop for all major insurance companies 89850 Hwy. 81, So. Yankton 402.667.3285 M.T. & R.C. Smith Insurance 204 W. 4th St., Yankton, SD smithins@iw.net 605.665.3611 1.888.665-3611 Home Business Auto Life Bonds

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