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Neglect and winter weather recipe for trouble poorly maintained automoâ€" Abile combined with sleet, snow and ice can be a recipe for trouble, HAC warns. Skidding, difficult starts and trouble seeing or being seen can result when basic automobile maintenance is neglected. The following suggestions and comâ€" mon sense tips will help sweeten the winter driving season. Switch early Before winter arrives, make sure your car is equipped with snow or allâ€"season tires. Snow tires are marked "MS" (mud and snow). Remember not to combine radial and Where the Quality Continues"~ All offers expire Nov. 11, 1994 * Supply and install Motorcraft spark plugs * Complete inspection of distributor cap, spark plug wires, PCV valve and air filter * (Ranger, Escort and vehicles with double overhead cam engines, nonâ€"electronic ignitions, Lincolns, vehicles requiring platinum plugs, Econolines and Aerostars extra.) ’m@ Capital of Ford Country Treasure chest Some important items to carry in the car during winter are: a bag or bucket of sand, salt or cat litter; small snow shovel; combination iceâ€"scraper nonâ€"radial tires, and keep tires inflatâ€" ed properly. Without good tires you can‘t accelerate, brake or steer propâ€" erly. Transport Canada says almost 90 per cent of all vehicles have at least one underinflated tire. At least once a month, check each of your tires for the recommended pressure, using your own gauge. Remember, the colder it gets, the more pressure your tires lose. and snow brush; flashlight; blanket; flares or reflective triangles; rags or paper towels; firstâ€"aid kit; spray deâ€" icer and HAC membership card. A visible difference Danger must be seen to be avoidâ€" ed. Driving with a snowâ€"covered windshield, windows, sideâ€"view mirâ€" rors or lights invites an accident. Clear windows, mirrors and lights with an ice scraper, brush or spray deâ€"icer. Make certain windshield wipers and defrosters are in good working order and that washer reserâ€" voirs are filled with noâ€"freeze windâ€" shield washer fluid. Since December 1989 all new vehicles in Canada have come with daytime runriing lights. If your vehicle is older, it‘s a good idea to switch your lights on whenever you drive. Even when the sun is out lights increase visibility. Air is out Don‘t let frigid temperatures tempt you into starting your car in a closed garage or idling your engine for long periods with the windows closed. Carbon munoxide, present in exhaust fumes, is almost impossible to detect and can be fatal when breathed in a confined area. Antifreeze For most domestic cars, imports and light trucks. e Band adjustment * Screen cleaning, if necessary “ ,o * Adjustment of manual and throttle linkage e Up to 5L Motorcraft Automatic Transmission Fluid (If required, additional transmission fluid extra) MOST CARS (Does not include transmission filter) A thorough inspection of: Exhaust system, shock absorbers, steering linkage, front rear suspension, battery cables connectors, all belts fluid levels, windshield wiper blades, air cleaner filter, radiator heater hoses Test: Coolant for temperature protection, battery specific gravity, all lights signals MONDAYâ€"THURSDAY 7:30 a.m.â€"8:00 p.m. FRIDAY 7:30 a.m.â€"6:00 p.m. SATURDAY 8:00 a.m.â€"12:00 p.m. Make certain cooling system antifreeze is mixed with an equal porâ€" tion of water for maximum protecâ€" tion. Flush and refill the cooling sysâ€" tem every two years. Adding fuel system antifreeze to the gas tank will help prevent frozen gas lines. Be aware gasoline antifreeze may cause an engine to run rough if water is preâ€" sent in the fuel tank. Keeping the gas tank at least half full also helps preâ€" vent freezing. Key solution Frozen door locks can be overâ€" come by carefully heating the end of a key with a match or lighter. A squirt of deâ€"icer spray is another quick method. Pouring heated water on a frozen lock is not recommended. The‘circle game Get into the habit of doing a quick "circle check" of your vehicle. Walk around it, and make sure your tires, wipers, signal lights and headlights are in working order, and that your mirrors and windows are clean. .. Make the right call Using a cellular phone in your vehicle isn‘t like chatting at home â€" you can‘t turn off the traffic like a TV. If you tend to get distracted, pull off the road or wait until you‘re parked to have the call. Also, cell phone models offer handsâ€"free phone options for safer driving. 3â€"second rule Keep to the 3â€"second rule when following another vehicle. Pick a landmark, and when the vehicle ahead of you passes it, start counting. A 3â€"second gap will keep you a safe distance back in case you have to brake in a hurry. Still going Cold weather is tough on batterâ€" ies. At minus 18 celsius, a car‘s batâ€" tery loses about 60 per cent of its strength. At a comparatively mild zero celsius, a battery is 35 per cent weaker. Keeping battery terminals clean helps, but a load test performed by a qualified technician will help determine whether a car‘s battery is strong enough for winter starts. Practise run Using the car air conditioner for a few minutes every week this winter will keep the unit lubricated and preâ€" vent vital parts from drying out. Putting the heater on defrost will also automatically lubricate the system. Hitting the skids In a skid you only have seconds to correct the problem, so it‘s crucial to know what to do beforehand. Release the brake and take your foot off the accelerator. Depress the clutch, or shift to neutral quickly, steering in the same direction as the skid. If you still can‘t gain control and the car is spinning, hit the brakes as hard as you can to lock all four wheels. Finish up Road salt, slush and grime are especially hard on a car‘s finish. To help prevent rust and paint damage, HAC recommends you keep cars washed and waxed. A full or selfâ€"serâ€" vice car wash makes the job easier when temperatures are low.