Baby It’s Cold Outside!

We are experiencing record cold temperatures. If you are not accustomed to dealing with the extreme cold here are some tips; dress in layers, wear a warm hat and gloves, cover your face with a scarf or mask. Remember, it only takes a few minutes for frost bite to start.

Your car does not like the cold anymore than you do. Extreme cold can drain the battery of much of its cranking power. If your battery is completely dead, you probably need to replace it especially if it is more than 3 years old. Do Not try to jump start it until you have checked to see if it is frozen. To do that, just pop the caps to see if there is ice in the battery. If you try to jump start a frozen battery it might explode. It used to be that you could remove a frozen battery, bring it in to a warm place to thaw, then put it back in the car and then jump start it. That is no longer recommended because removing the battery interferes with the various computer systems on cars and can actually cause harm.  If the battery on your car is dead or if it is cracked, you should just bite the bullet and replace it. 

If your car will not start, but the battery is not completely dead, you can try jump starting it. Pace the car that starts facing the dead car. Turn off the engine of that car and turn off everything in both cars that runs off the battery like the headlights, radio, heater, wipers, etc. Before you begin connecting the jumper cables, put on eye protective and gloves to protect yourself from sparks or under the worse case scenario a battery explosion. And, stand on the side of the car for the same reason. Connect the positive or red cable to positive or red terminal on the dead battery. Next, connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal on the good battery. Connect the black or negative cable to the negative terminal on the good battery. Connect the other end to a metal ground on the engine or non-painted part of the frame of the dead car. Do Not connect it to the negative terminal on the dead battery since the spark might ignite the hydrogen fumes in the battery causing it to explode. Then, start the car with the good battery and rev the engine for a couple of minutes to charge the dead battery. Then, start the other car. If it starts, remove the cables. Be sure not to touch the ends of the cable to each other or to any metal on the cars as they will spark.

Once you get the car started, let it run for 20 to 30 minutes to fully charge the battery. Do not just drive away thinking everything is okay. You do not want to have the car die on you in this extreme cold weather.  Turn off the engine and try to restart it. If it starts with no problems, you are probably good to go. If it does not start, it is time to get some help as your problem may be the alternator.

Welcome to Winter!

So far this winter, snow has hit every state in the country. Venturing out in this “winter wonderland” has taken on a whole new meaning; wondering if you are going to be able to get to work or school, wondering if they are even open, wondering if the buses or trains are running, wondering if your car will start, wondering if you can get your car out of the driveway or parking spot, wondering if you will get stranded at the airport or worse yet in your car, wondering if the roads have been plowed, wondering if the person in the other car knows how to drive on snow and ice, etc.

Well, here are some tips that might make the “winter wonderland” a little more tolerable;

First, if you do not absolutely have to go to work or school, stay home. The fewer the cars on the road, the easier it is for plows to clear them and for emergency vehicles to get around. You can spend part of the day cleaning your driveway and sidewalks. Do not over exert yourself shoveling!

If you do have to go out, slow down.  No one is going anywhere fast, so just take a breath and relax. Take the time to warm up your car and clear off the snow and ice. You definitely want to see where you are going or who is coming at you. And, turn your headlights on so other vehicles will see you! Slow down on the roads. Giving your car too much gas will just make it fishtail causing you to possibly spin out of control. Slowing down gives you more control over your car. More control allows you to avoid accidents by giving you more maneuverability and it makes it more likely you will be able to stop for red lights and stop signs and not skid through them. And remember, when the sidewalks are covered with snow or ice, pedestrians may be walking in the road, so be cautious.

If you do have the misfortune to be involved in an accident, you may have to decide whether or not to repair your vehicle. Your decision will be based on the cost of the repairs and whether your insurance will cover them. If your insurance will not cover the accident and the repairs costs are high, you may want to just look for another vehicle. If your car insurance does cover it and gives you a check, you may want to put it towards another car rather than fixing your present car. In both cases, you will need to do something with your car.

If the damage to your vehicle is not severe, you can probably trade it in towards a new or used one or sell in privately. However, if it has sustained severe damage, you will not be able to do that. If you give it to a junk yard, you will probably get somewhere between $50 and $250 for it. No matter how badly damaged it is, you will a tax deduction of $500 or more if you donate your car to charity. If the charity sells it for more than $500, that sale amount will be the amount you can claim for your tax deduction.