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How to Prepare Your Car For Winter

October 7, 2014 by admin 2 Comments

winter road
Is your car ready for the (winter) road ahead?

Winter’s icy grip can put its “hurt” on your car. Just like in summer, extreme temperatures can make your engine work harder and increase the chances that your car will fall prone to extreme weather conditions. The time to prepare your car for winter is before colder temperatures move in. Here’s what you can do to prepare your vehicle for any wintry wallop.

1. Flush the radiator. Topping off the radiator for winter may not be enough. If you haven’t had the radiator flushed in two or more years, then have that done as soon as possible. You should know that there is some controversy whether flushing is necessary or not as evidenced by this Car Talk question. Consult your owners manual for the definitive answer.

2. Inspect the battery. If your car’s battery dies, you could be left stranded. Check the battery’s connections and clean off the terminal. If it is at least three years old, you may need to replace it. Cold weather can kill a weak battery.

3. Check tire tread and consider winter tires. Rotating your tires twice per year is wise. When rotating, determine if there is sufficient tread left. If not, replace your tires. All-season tires are fine for areas where snowfall is not a concern. For everywhere else, replacing your tires with winter tires can give you the extra grip you need. Use four winter tires, not two — you’ll enjoy all-around better grip and handling with the same type of tire across all four wheels.

4. Inspect the brake system. If your brakes don’t work properly, you won’t be able to stop your car. This is where a certified mechanic should come in, to perform a complete brake inspection. Your mechanic will check everything from the brake pedal to the lines and hoses, as well as the brake fluid and assemblies.

5. Examine the exhaust system. While you are with your mechanic, ask him to check your exhaust system too. Your exhaust system controls your vehicle’s emissions and should be checked periodically for leaks and other problems. A leaky exhaust can flood your cabin with deadly carbon monoxide. A clogged system can cause a loss of power and a reduction in fuel economy. Your mechanic will check a variety of parts to include: the catalytic converter, mounting components, gaskets, the muffler and pipes.

6. Inspect all lights. Lights are a safety issue and every light on your car should be functioning as intended. You can perform a visual inspection with the assistance of another person to ensure that the headlights, fog lights, daytime running lights, turn signals, tail lights and other lights are working. If a light is burned out, check the fuse box first — it is far easier to replace a blown fuse than it is to replace a light bulb.

7. Run the heater. You’ve been operating the climate control system throughout the summer and enjoying a consistent delivery of cool air. Now put on the heater to ensure that warm air comes out. You should check the defrosters too. If the heat is not working properly the coolant level may be low or the heater core may not be working. A bad water pump or a failed thermostat are other problems that can keep your car from getting warm. See your mechanic to have him troubleshoot your heating system.

Winter Care

It is also important that you have your oil and oil filter changed on a regular basis, certainly before winter sets in. If your car is due for a new air filter or spark plugs, get this work done too. A new set of wiper blades should be installed as well.

If your winter driving takes you far from home, an emergency car kit is essential. You’ll want to include a flashlight, batteries, a first-aid kit, blankets, boots, water, gloves and snacks. Road flares, an ice scraper and jumper cables are also essential for winter travel.

Related Reading

How to Drive in Winter

7 Winter Storage Tips For Classic Cars

What You Need to Know About Winter Driving

“Susquehanna Winter Drive” by likeaduck is licensed under CC BY 2.0


See Also — What You Must Know About Catalytic Converters

Filed Under: Car Tips Tagged With: brakes, car battery, CAR TALK, HEATER CORE, LIGHTS, THERMOSTAT, TIRE TREAD, WINTER DRIVING

Brembo Expands Michigan Plant, Seeks North American Leadership

May 28, 2014 by admin 1 Comment

Brembo seeks a boost in market share.

If you are an automotive enthusiast, then you are familiar with the Brembo name. The Italian company is one of the world’s largest brake manufacturers, with its red, black or silver painted brake calipers supplying high-end OEMs including Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Citroën.


Brembo brake calipers.

This Porsche Cayman S features cant miss Brembo brake calipers.

Expanded Michigan Facility

Brembo has a strong presence in the North American market and recently expanded its Homer, Michigan, facility in a bid to increase its market share. Indeed, the facility is known for its brake, disc, caliper and corner module manufacturing, what should help Brembo reach its ultimate goal of making North America its lead market by the end of 2014.

With additional manufacturing facilities in Avenel, New Jersey, and Monterey, Mexico, the company says that it will be better positioned to serve its clients. Daniel Sandberg, president and CEO of Brembo North America said, “The investment in the Homer facility will allow us to expand our product offerings not only in North America, but also for customers across the globe.”

The Michigan plant was acquired in 2007 when Brembo purchased the Hayes-Lemmerz brakes discs division that same year. Brembo immediately set out to expand the plant in 2008, completing the second phase of that expansion in 2012 and 2013. The company also built a separate caliper and corner module manufacturing facility next to its disc plant, now offering 47 processing lines and 12 painting lines.

Brembo brakes.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT relies on Brembo brakes.

Acquisition and OEM Demand

With added production capacity, Brembo expects to increase its discs output from 10 million discs in 2013 to 12.5 million in 2014. The company is also on track to boost calipers and corners modules production by one-third to 400,000 units this year.

Brembo credits two changes in recent years that have expanded the company’s already strong presence in the North America. The first was its 2007 acquisition of the Hayes-Lemmerz Automotive Brake Component division. The second follows much stronger demand for the US-based OEMs that use Brembo products.

Besides supplying the likes of Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, Fiat Chrysler is an important partner for Brembo too. Fiat Racing uses Brembo and Chrysler products, including its minivans and select Jeep products, are also outfitted with Brembo brakes.

Brembo: Formula 1 and NASCAR

Brembo is not, of course, the only supplier of high performance brake products. Earlier this year, Motor Trend provided an excellent overview of the company and its influence on the market.

Brembo is also involved in Formula 1 racing, first getting involved in motorsports in 1975. The company operates a facility in Mooresville, North Carolina, conveniently located near the headquarters of several racing teams. The company has supplied brakes for many NASCAR winners and claims Jimmy Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Ron Hornaday, Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle and Clint Boyer as champions that have relied on its products to race to the winner’s circle.


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Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: brakes, Brembo, CALIPERS, DISCS, FORMULA 1, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SRT, Mercedes-Benz, MICHIGAN, NASCAR, Porsche

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