Wiper blades, tires, more require special attention in extreme temperatures, says Lake Arbor Auto
WESTMINSTER, Colo. (Dec. 19, 2017) – The Denver area is about to experience its first severe
cold-weather snap of the season, and Lake Arbor Automotive & Truck encourages drivers to be
prepared. The Westminster-based repair-and-maintenance shop encourages vehicle owners to
be mindful of the Five Ways to Beat the Winter:
1. Allow a brief amount of warm-up time.
Today’s vehicles don’t require much warm-up, but an extra 30 seconds often helps, mostly
because the fluids in your car have an optimal operating temperature. Caveat: Unattended
warm-up or “puffing” is illegal in most Colorado cities due to the vulnerability to car theft.
2. Plug in your block heater if you have one.
The heat to the engine will allow it to resist the potential stress caused by the freezing
temperatures – not to mention the threat of freezing under-protected radiator fluid.
3. Lift windshield wipers off the windshield during long periods of inactivity.
Wipers ice up faster when they are in contact with the snow on the glass, and they lose the
pliability that makes them effective. Also, do a good job of scraping the bottom and edges of
your windshield, again to protect the wipers.
4. Clear the cowl grate at the outside bottom of your windshield.
The cowl grate provides the air intake for the car’s heater, and any blockage will increase the
risk that under-hood fumes could seep into the passenger compartment. These fumes can
include carbon monoxide.
5. Ask a qualified auto mechanic to inspect your vehicle for cold-weather worthiness.
The main areas of the car requiring attention are the battery, anti-freeze, wiper blades, washer
fluid, tires and overall reliability. You DON’T want to end up on the side of the road in these
temperatures.
There are plenty of additional items to keep in mind while driving in cold, snowy weather, many of
which pertain to safe driving on slick roads. Lake Arbor Auto advises all its customers to keep a
bag of kitty litter in the trunk in case the car gets stuck in ice. Clear your entire car of snow and
ice to enhance visibility. Keep your fuel tank full, thus minimizing chances of condensation in the
fuel lines and providing an ongoing source of heat in case you do get stranded. And above all,
when roads are slick, do everything at slower speeds. That includes acceleration, deceleration
and turning.
About Lake Arbor Automotive & Truck
Founded in 1992 as the Emissions Clinic, Lake Arbor Auto moved in 2006 to its current location
at 9146 Marshall Place in Westminster, Colo., with a state-of-the-art facility designed for
maximum customer comfort. Over a three-year period (2009-2012), Lake Arbor Auto won seven
significant awards recognizing its commitment to business ethics including the Bill Daniels Ethics
in Business Award from the Colorado Ethics in Business Alliance, Better Business Bureau’s
Torch Award for Marketplace Trust and Golden Ethics Award. In 2015 Lake Arbor Auto was
named one of the Top Ten Shops in the nation, according to Motor Age Magazine. A multiple
recipient of the BBB’s Gold Star Award, Lake Arbor Auto has won the Colorado Community
Media’s “Best Auto Repair Shop” award seven of the last eight years. Lake Arbor Auto is a TripleA approved repair shop and has the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence with five ASE-certified Master
Technicians on staff. Lake Arbor Auto is an ASA (Automotive Service Association) national and
state member, is the highest volume emissions repair facility in Colorado, and is a member of the
Association of Diesel Specialists. For information call 303-429-7700 or go to
www.lakearborauto.com. “We do the right thing for you every time.”