Prepare your vehicle for the extreme cold

By Ryan Dean

KSDK -- With temperatures soon to be hovering around zero, mechanics are reminding people to prepare their vehicles.

Pat Hamill, owner of St. Louis Auto and Truck Repair, says the first thing you want to check is your anti-freeze.

"Even during the winter it keeps your car cool and keeps it from freezing during these cold temperatures," Hamill says.

He says some types of anti-freeze won't cut it in zero degree weather.

"Make sure it is close to a 50/50 mix (50 percent water and 50 percent anti-freeze), which would take their anti-freeze to 30 to 40 degrees below zero."

Once you tighten the cap on that, move to the battery.

"With the cold you need a real tight and clean connection to the battery," Hamill says.

Batteries more than four years old may die in the cold.

"Sometimes the battery will go out for no reason," he says.

Cold weather causes loss of tire pressure. Hamill recommends checking the pressure with a tire gage every other day. Low pressure can be dangerous for drivers.

"Tends not to handle as well and such and lower fuel mileage, that's major," he says.

Hamill also says it is important to keep you gas tank at least half full. This will help keep condensation out of your tank.

When temperatures dip near zero, some windshield washer fluid does not work. Hamill says there is a winter mix that you can buy that works in negative temperatures.