Winter Check UP

With the white blanket on the ground it maybe time to think about getting your vehicle prepared for winter.

Recommendations by Gary Eastman at the Bluffs Car Care are to have good all season tires installed on your car. Brand new tread depth for cars are 19 thirty seconds, light trucks are 26 thirty seconds. One thing to point out is to also check your spare tire at the same time. Check your wiper blades and make sure your windshield fluid reservoir filled, replace if needed, test your antifreeze, for this area, it should be good to -40 degrees. Your battery and charging system should be tested to make sure it is working properly. It is a good idea to make sure all of the light lenses are clean and working properly. Other recommendations are the gas tank should be kept above a half tank, " it is easier to fill the top half , than the bottom" Mr. Eastman said.

Other recommendations are to keep an emergency kit in your car. It should include: scraper, sand, salt, candle, lighter, jumper cables, small shovel, small air compressor, water, granola bars and an extra blankets or coats. Make sure your cell phone is charged as well incase you get stranded.

If you plan to travel in inclement weather, monitor road and weather conditions by checking local news stations or Internet traffic and weather sites. You can sign up for weather alerts to receive text messages for your area, just don't check them while you are driving. Before leaving the driveway or parking lot take time to clear snow and ice off your car, windows, mirrors, lights, reflectors, hood, roof and trunk.

As you get on your way remember that the speed limits are for ideal weather conditions, not roads covered with rain, snow or ice. Slow down, increase your following distances and avoid using cruise control on snowy and icy roads.

Now that your vehicle is taken care of remember this is also "cold and flu season". The best advice doesn't change. "Get a flu vaccine unless it's contraindicated, practice proper hand hygiene, stay home when you're sick, take medications as prescribed by the provider " states Laura Bateman, RN,CDM, the Kimball Health Services director of quality and case management and patient drug assistance advocate.