ST. LOUIS — After our first snow of the season, it's a great time to talk with a specialist about completing the winter prep of your vehicle.
In order to make sure your tires have enough grip, we nailed down the "tire tread/penny" rule a couple of weeks ago during "On The Move."
Now, we're tackling fluids. 5 On Your Side met up with Tim Liebig from Firestone to see what tips he has for keeping your car running well when it gets cold.
"People are always changing their oil, but they don't pay attention to the other fluids in the vehicle," he said. "The major one is antifreeze, or coolant, but in the wintertime, it's antifreeze. And, it just wears down, it breaks down over time."
I was surprised to hear all of the fluids work together, which can not only help your transmission run better but also helps with something else.
"Your battery could become compromised if you don't keep your fluids right between summer and winter. The heat really weakens the battery and then, here comes wintertime and then the cold freeze. That's when they go out."
We asked Liebig what was the most important thing to keep in mind.
He said, "Don't procrastinate, get it done now."
Well, okay. It's also crucial to remember your vehicle needs anti-freeze all year, not just during the winter. It helps protect your engine from corrosion, aids heat transfer and prevents rust and scale build-up. Don't forget: Different vehicles require different types of antifreeze, so make sure you buy one that's suitable for your car.