MotorWeek's Top 10 potentially lifesaving tips for winterizing your car
MotorWeek's Pat Goss' road rescue tips before you leave your driveway

OWINGS MILLS, MD: Winter weather causes everything from stalled engines to hazardous highways. Whether commuting to work or holiday shopping, winterizing your vehicle is like a warm blanket of protection for your family on the road. Pat Goss, master technician on PBS' weekly automotive magazine, MotorWeek, says now is the time to prepare for winter.

"Don't be ambushed by winter," said Goss. "Avoid the hazards of bad weather by preparing your car now."

Pat Goss' MotorWeek Top 10 winter car care tips

1) CAR BATTERY: Take your vehicle to a qualified technician, who will perform a heavy-load test procedure. This is especially important if your car still has its original battery and has been in service for three or more years.

2) ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Have your car's electrical system tested by a qualified technician.

3) RADIATOR: Check for adequate anti-freeze. The first really cold day could be too late and too late can cost you a new engine.

4) TIRES: Tire pressure and tread depth mean good traction. The more your tires are worn, the less traction you'll have when it snows. As the temperature drops, so does tire pressure, so check tires regularly.

5) LIGHTS: Winter days are shorter and darker. If other drivers can't see you because of a blown bulb, you could put yourself and others at risk.

6) BRAKES: Have your brakes checked by a qualified technician. You don't want to discover bad brakes in the middle of a panic stop on a cold, slippery day.

7) WINTER WIPER BLADES: Yes, WINTER wiper blades. Purchase these ingenious devices with a thin, rubber membrane - they shed snow and ice to prevent clogging. Used only during the winter, they can last several years.

8) WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID: Fill windshield washer reservoir with proper WINDSHIELD WASHER anti-freeze.

9) RUBBER WEATHER STRIPPING: Spray silicone lubricant on the rubber weather stripping around doors and windows to help them from freezing shut.

10) DOOR LOCKS: Spray graphite lubricant in car door locks.

Remember, breakdowns that create an inconvenience in the summer, can be life-threatening in the winter.

For more information, watch MotorWeek, the nation's original and longest running automotive magazine show, on MPT on Saturdays at 5:00 p.m., repeats Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. You can also check the MotorWeek Web site at www.mpt.org/motorweek. Produced by Maryland Public Television, MotorWeek is nationally underwritten by Pep Boys and eBay Motors.

Maryland Public Television (MPT) is among the largest producers of national and international programs for public television. Major series include Wall $treet Week With Louis Rukeyser, MotorWeek, HealthWeek, Mollie Katzen's Cooking Show and Baking with Julia, hosted by Julia Child. For more information, visit MPT's Web site at www.mpt.org.

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