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Winterize Your Car from Schwank     Winterizing your car is one of the most important things you can do before the cold and snow hits your neck of the world. Proper preparation can save you tons of trouble and, during severe winter storms, it can save lives as well. Here are a few hints on how to prepare for winter: Fresh Antifreeze Make sure your antifreeze is mixed properly and test it to see if it will protect your engine down to sub-zero temps (depending on your area and the severity of Winter temps where you live). Old, weak antifreeze can allow your engine to freeze up. And, as soon as you start the engine and it begins to warm up, the ice inside your engine can crack and expand. This is enough force to break an engine block or cylinder head. Window Washers Make sure your windshield washers are working properly. Check the reservoir for cracks. Check the pump motor to see that it is working. Check the hoses and jets to make sure they aren't clogged. Tire Inflation and Condition Improperly inflated tires can cause poor traction during Winter driving.  Worn or "bald" tires can destroy your traction and control on icy or snow-covered roadways. Fill 'er Up When additional weight is desired to improve traction on bad roads, remember that gasoline weighs about 8 pounds a gallon. A full tank of gas can add from 112 to 175 extra pounds of weight, depending on the size of your gas tank. Besides, should you become stranded on a lesser traveled back road, a full tank of gas will ensure you a chance of staying warm until help arrives. Replace that old battery Are you running on year number six of a five year battery? Heat, believe it or not, is what destroys a car battery. Summer heat will wear down your older battery to an unsafe level. But, during the Summer, it takes less power to turn an engine than it will in the Winter when the engine is colder and your oil is as thick as Maple Syrup. Damage done to a battery in the Summer will usually appear more often in the Winter. There is an old mechanic's saying that goes: "You kill a battery in the Summer but you bury it in the Winter." Tune it Up A properly tuned engine will start much easier in cold weather.  Only one fouled spark plug can cause you to wear down your battery while trying to get your car started in sub-zero temps. That is something no one wants to experience. Keep them handy Getting stranded on an isolate road can kill you. Having a few spare items onboard may save your life. Here are a few items to keep in your car if you plan on driving any substantial distances from home in the Winter: jumper cables extra antifreeze kitty litter small shovel blanket and a few snacks warm gloves, boots and hats chemical hand warmers tow strap flashlight Don't Suck up fumes Is your car's exhaust system in good shape? If you are not sure, take it to a professional to ensure that there are no exhaust leaks under your car. An exhaust leak that gets inside your car can kill every passenger in the vehicle, especially when that vehicle is stranded in the snow and everyone is inside trying to keep warm with an idling engine as the only source of heat. TOP Is That Really a Cop? from Honkin' Hank    Ladies Beware!     As you may or may not be aware, there have been a lot of reported "fake cop" pullovers lately. Some of these incidents have resulted in assault, rape and even murder. How can you be certain that the car that is trying to pull you over is really a cop? Here are a few hints on what to do.     First, most police vehicles are well-marked and have more than "one red light" that is used for a normal traffic stop. If the vehicle that is trying to pull you over is unmarked or is using only one red lens in a spotlight, there may be a possibility that this is not a real cop. And, if you are in a secluded area with little or no other traffic around, there is good reason for concern. More often than not, unmarked vehicles are not used for routine traffic stops. The police traffic patrol vehicles are well marked and stand out from a crowd. Remember that the police are faced with a dangerous situation each time they make what is supposed to be a "routine" traffic stop. You need to be sure to make no swift or sudden moves or any other gestures that will signal danger to the cop. Both you and the cop have reason to be concerned about this traffic stop. And, remember, he has a gun. You need to make the decision to stop and be self-assured that you are safe. Once you have stopped, there will be more danger for you, if you change your mind and try to leave the scene after already having come to a full stop. Here are some things you can do: Continue to drive slowly and legally. If you are truly concerned and you have a cell phone, dial 911. Explain to the operator that you are being pulled over and you are concerned that it may not be a real police officer. Tell the dispatcher EXACTLY where you are. Keep the dispatcher on the line! Wave to the cop, acknowledging that you are aware he is making a stop and motion to him that you are going to a better location before you will stop. Be sure to drive VERY slowly and cautiously. Drive slowly to a very busy area with other people around. More often than not, people like to watch a cop pull someone over. They can become witnesses as well as a safety valve for you. Honk your horn to get their attention. When you DO stop, until you are satisfied of his identity, leave your window rolled up and be sure to tell the police officer that you were concerned that he was NOT a real cop and that is why you did not pull over immediately. You can ask that he request a back up car for verification.  Look to see if the cop has a proper uniform, uniform hat, dress shoes, slacks, a badge, name tag and other uniform ornamentation like a "PD" lapel pin. Does he have a portable radio attached to his uniform? Does he have a belt with the typical devices on it (handcuffs, weapon, radio, baton, pepper spray or mace)? Cops conduct themselves in a very professional manner. They will address you as "sir" or "ma'am" each time they speak to you. If the cop that pulled you over is not giving you this respect, be concerned and stay alert. Do not get out of your car if you think this is not a legitimate cop. You will be walking a narrow line here. But, if you have communicated to the "cop" that you are concerned about his authenticity, he will do what is necessary to prove his identity.     If a second police vehicle shows up, you can feel assured that you are being pulled over by a true police officer.  Fake cops will work alone.  A second vehicle arriving on the scene can be a very welcome sight for a woman who is alone and scared. TOP Keep These Items in your Car from Schwank    Be prepared!  Having the following items in your vehicle at all times can save you time, headache and money. No matter where you are going or when you are going there, if the time comes when you need one of these items and you don't have them handy, you will regret it - trust me on this one, folks. jumper cables extra antifreeze kitty litter small shovel blanket and a few snacks warm gloves, boots and hats chemical hand warmers "Help" or "Distress" sign list of emergency numbers spare tire,  jack & lug wrench insurance & registration cards tire chains spare fan belts cell phone & charger flashlight & batteries small tool set tow strap maps Fire Extinguisher First Aid Kit your meds snow brush ice scraper pen & paper disposable camera Return to Main Tips Menu