Nick's Auto Advice Newsletter - Dec. 2006

This past Sunday I had the unbelievable honor to to be part of the Long Island Harley Owners Toy Run. The final destination was The Little Flower Orphanage and Special Needs Center in Riverside, Long Island. I have been a part of this toy run for the past 10 years and every years means more than the last. Each year I dress up as Santa for all the kids and adults that are terminally ill or challenged and every year I have the same thoughts when we leave. I think about how great it feels to make someone smile or see a child's face light up. It pretty much puts my priorities in place and I know that next year I'll be doing it again!

That is my current news for December...it's what's really most important to talk about this time of year.

Winter driving can be inconvenient, annoying, even infuriating. But you can offset those aggravations and minimize the special risks of winter driving. Here are a few tips that you can use to help situations that you may encounter this winter be a little less stressful.

Equipment and supplies
Here's what you'll want to have on hand, especially in an emergency:

*Snow shovel.
*Scraper with a brush on one end.
*Tow chain or strap.
*Tire chains.
*Flashlight (with extra batteries).
*Abrasive material (cat litter, sand, salt, or traction mats).
*Jumper cables.
*Warning device (flares or reflective triangles).
*Brightly colored cloth to signal for help.
*Empty coffee or similar type can containing candles, matches (in a water tight containter) or a lighter, high-energy food
  (chocolate or dried fruit, for example).
*Sleeping bags or blankets, ski caps, and mittens.
*First-aid supplies.
*Compass.

  Getting Unstuck
If you should find yourself stuck, here's what to do:

Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way. Keep a light touch on the gas, and ease forward. Don't spin you wheels - you'll just dig in deeper.
Rocking the vehicle is another way to get unstuck. (Check your owner's manual first - it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
Front-wheel drive vehicles, snow tires should be on the front - the driving axle - for better traction in mud or snow.

If You Get Stranded...
You may feel helpless, stuck in the snow in a lonely place - but there are things you can do to survive until help reaches you.

1) Stay in the vehicle. Don't wander and get lost or frostbitten.

2) Run the engine for heat about once every hour, or every half hour in severe cold. Clean snow from around the end of the tail pipe to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. For extra heat, burn a candle inside a coffee can - but don't set the can on fabric. Make sure the vehicle is NOT air tight, by opening a window a little.

3) Clear outside heater vents. That's the grill under the windshield.

4) Avoid alcohol. It lowers body temperature and will cause you to become drowsy.

5) Leave one window cracked open. Freezing winds and driving, wet snow can quickly seal a vehicle.

6) Signal to other motorists that you're stranded by using flares or flashlights, or by tying a piece of brightly colored cloth to the radio antenna.

Prepare your Vehicle
You should keep your vehicle in top operating condition all year round for safety and fuel economy. It is especially important to prepare for winter driving by performing the following safety steps:

Know your vehicle. Read your Owner's Manual and winterize the following:
*battery and lights
*defroster and heater
*motor oil
*wiper blades and windshield washer fluid
*antifreeze
*belts, hoses and filters
*tire pressure
*brakes and brake fluid

Keep your gas tank full to minimize condensation, and provide an extra margin of comfort and safety in case of delays.

A cell phone can be a lifesaver for you or another stranded motorist in the event of an emergency or collision.

Stock your car with basic safety equipment such as emergency cash, scraper and brush, small shovel, jumper cables, tow chain, and bag of sand or cat litter for tire traction.

Carry a breakdown kit that includes road flares, blanket, gloves, boots, warm clothing, flashlight, extra batteries, food, water, and first-aid kit.

Clear snow and ice from all windows and lights - even the hood and roof - before driving.

Know current road conditions:
Check local news for weather and traffic reports.
Watch electronic highway signs for information.

  On the Road
Winter road conditions require your extra attention. Staying off the phone, driving at a safe and legal speed, driving alert and sober and buckling up will ensure that you safely make it to your destination.

1) Drive with your headlights on.

2) Slow Down! Give yourself extra time to reach your destination when roads are slick. If at all possible, do not drive when the roads are icy. Consider delaying your trip.

3) Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows - stay at least 15 car lengths (200 feet) back and don't pass on the right.

4) Watch for icy surfaces on bridges, even when the rest of the road seems to be in good condition.

5) Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra seconds to react.

6) Trucks take longer to stop, so don't cut in front of them.

7) Don't use your cruise control or overdrive when it's freezing (or colder).

8) Don't get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It helps you get going quicker but won't help you stop any faster.

9) Don't pump anti-lock brakes. The right way is to "stomp and steer."
 

For maximum protection, we advise our customers to change the oil every 3,000 miles or three to six months regardless of what type of driving you do. Please take advantage of the money saving coupon below and either call us for an appointment or click here to request an appointment. Please click here to print.

       With the holidays fast approaching, we would like to take this opportunity to
       wish all of our valued customers a Happy Holiday Season and a safe, healthy
                    and  prosperous New Year!

We hope you enjoyed this newsletter and found the tips helpful. Please call us with any questions or concerns about your vehicle before the weather changes at 203-366-4775. You can email me directly at nick@nicksautomotive.com or request an appointment here. If you have a billing question you can email Tara at tara@nicksautomotive.com We'll be waiting to hear from you!

Wishing you and yours a Wonderful Holiday Season!
Nick Gramigna and the entire staff at Nick's Precision Automotive Service Center