Prepare Your Car for Cold Weather

In preparation for the recent snowfall, I brought my plants inside, stocked up on canned goods and water (just in case), and cut up some firewood. The one thing I didn't give much thought to was my car. In hindsight, I should have known better, and consider myself lucky that I didn't get stuck out in the cold and unprepared. Here are a few tips to keep your car running smoothly during these cold winter months.

Brakes
The brakes must be faultless and equalized so there is no pulling to one side, which may cause skidding.

Cooling System
If it hasn't been done in a while, have your cooling system flushed out with a good chemical cleaner and put in fresh anti-freeze. Check containers, belts, hoses, the pressure caps and thermostat.

Battery and Electrical System
Cold weather is hard on batteries. If your battery is several years old, have it checked. Be sure connections are clean and tight.

Engine
A diagnostic check-up of the engine can be a good pre-winter investment. If you're due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Faulty wiring, worn spark plugs, a sticking choke or emission control devices that need attention, can all lead to hard starting.

Exhaust System
Check the muffler and tail pipe system for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when the windows are closed.

Fuel System
Make sure there is plenty of gas in your tank at all times. A full tank minimizes condensation, which may cause gas line freezing. Add gasoline antifreeze occasionally.

Heaters, Defrosters and Wipers
Have them checked to make sure they are operational. Install winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. Ensure your windshield can give you clear vision of the road and traffic around you.

Oil and Filter
Dirty oil can give you trouble in the winter, so change the oil and filter. Check the other filters, including the fuel, air and transmission filters.

Tires
Check your tire pressure regularly - for every 5º C of temperature drop, tire pressure goes down by one pound.¹


To schedule your winter tune up call Rice Service center 336-288-6225 or email us at service@ricetoyota.com. We service all makes and models, imports and domestics.
Rice Service Center Complimentary Winter Check Up

Matrix, Corolla and Safety

Matrix, Corolla and Safety

We’re pleased to note that in recent crash tests of small cars, our Matrix earned the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety’s highest rating in side and frontal crashes. Matrix was one of just two vehicles tested that earned the top rating in side crashes.

This side-crash testing is important, according to an IIHS spokesperson, because more than 8,000 people were killed in 2007 as a result of side-impact crashes. Such accidents happen when vehicles collide front-to-door, impacting at 90 degrees, as they might do in an intersection.More than 14,500 people died in frontal crashes, according to the IIHS.

Our Corolla and Scion xB earned the IIHS’s "Top Safety Pick" rating in this year’s small-car testing. Both were given top marks in front, side and rear impacts, and both are available with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which the IIHS calls, "the most important safety feature a car can have." It also notes that ESC is one of today’s automotive features that is least familiar to drivers.

When our ESC systems detect the presence of a skid, they manage braking on individual wheels, and also throttle application, to help minimize the loss of traction in turns.


It’s a bit of electronic wizardry that is available on a number of our vehicles.


- Jon F. Thompson, Editor, Open Road
www.blog.toyota.com