Mount Pleasant mechanics say winterizing vehicles involves more than a battery check

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Cold weather can be hard on cars.

This is why Wade Sackett, manager at Muffler Man, 101 S. Mission St., recommends getting them checked while it is still somewhat warm.

“Make sure the car can withstand the cold,” Sackett said. “You don’t want to be stranded in the middle of winter.”

He also recommends holding off on buying a new battery unless absolutely necessary. Students can save money that way, he said.

“Have it checked out first,” Sackett said.

Rick Souder, owner of Souders Service Center Inc., 1035 S. Mission St., said car maintenance is more than simply checking the battery.

He said the belts, heater, tire traction, car fluids and spark plugs need to be examined.

“One recommendation is to have the car looked over, have the tires tested, have the condition of the antifreeze tested or a free maintenance check.” Souder said.

He said antifreeze prevents the car’s engine from overheating and the water in the radiator from freezing.

The most common car concerns in the winter are the battery and windshield wipers, Souder said. Wiper blades can cause students a number of problems.

“One thing students fail to do is clean the snow off their windshields,” Souder said. “If the wipers are frozen down, it will cause a problem with the wiper motor.” Souder said.

He said forgetting to turn off the wipers creates driving problems.

“I see kids in a hurry who operate their wipers and forget to turn them off, then the wipers freeze. This will cause the gears to strip out,” Souder said. “It’s quite common in the winter, but it’s not just the cold that does it, it’s the snow and ice.”

Windshield wipers freeze and stick to the windshield, making driving difficult.

Souders said jump starting a car could cost students more money, but can have detrimental effects on cars.

“I don’t recommend students jump starting new cars. If they don’t know how to, so they rely on others.” he said.