Leif Johnson Auto Group

It’s not always cold during Austin winters, but when it is, Austinites are often left feeling unprepared for the weather. Rain or shine, ice or snow, we want you to feel safe on the road. So your friends at Leif Johnson Ford are here with some ways to help you and your vehicle survive even the chilliest of days!

Tips for Driving Safe in Winter Weather

• Make sure your vehicle is winterized before driving. This means having your Leif Johnson Ford service department check the battery, antifreeze, wipers, windshield wiper fluid, ignition system, thermostat, headlights, hazard lights, exhaust, etc.
• Ensure that your car is running well. Change your oil, check your battery and make sure your gas tank is always full. This will help keep you from becoming stranded in bad weather. Again, your Leif Johnson Ford team would be happy to help get your vehicle into the best condition possible.
• Plan in advance. When weather conditions are poor, it’s important to always be prepared. Check weather conditions in your area before leaving the house, and always make sure to take the safest route to wherever you are heading.
• Have an emergency kit handy at all times. A cell phone and charger, battery operated or hand-crank radio, jumper cables, a spare tire, flares, blankets and sleeping bags, flashlights with extra batteries, a first aid kid, water, warm clothing, matches, sand, a windshield scraper and brush, a basic toolkit, tow rope, compass and road map are all great essentials to have on hand.
• Ford owners, have Sync with 911 assistance handy. This assists drivers to place a call to emergency operators in three different languages and also gives GPS coordinates of the car’s position in case of an accident.
• Buckle up. This may seem like a given, but it’s something that is all too often forgotten. No matter how close you are to home, always make sure everyone in your vehicle has their seatbelt fastened.
• Be extra careful when driving on bridges and overpasses Elevated roadways are the first to freeze, so always use caution when driving in bad weather.
• Always leave a large space to traffic when driving up hills. If you need to stop while ascending a hill, it can be difficult to pull away again.
• Reduce speed and keep a farther distance from other vehicles. On slick roadways, a vehicle needs 3x more space to stop.
• If your vehicle begins to skid, gently steer in the direction of the skid. This will allow you to regain control. You may feel the need to jerk the car in the opposite direction, but make sure to resist this urge. Straighten your vehicle when you have regained traction.
• Do not make sharp turns or brake suddenly. This can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
• Pump the brakes when stopping. This will keep your tires from spinning on the ice and you will reduce the risk of losing traction and fishtailing.
• If there is ice on the road, take extra precautions to be smooth with the steering and the throttle. Abrupt movements can cause slides on slippery surfaces.

These simple but effective tips will allow you to be safe, regardless of the weather Texas decides to throw our way! If there is anything we can do to help winterize your vehicle, contact us at 512-454-3711 and make an appointment today!

This winter has been an odd one for us Austinites. While the weather is always fairly unpredictable this time of year, these last few months have fluctuated even more than normal. The unreliability of 70 to 30 degrees in a twenty-four hour span can be taxing on the wardrobe and on the nerves. Many car-owners prefer to warm their car up by turning it on before driving off. What are your thoughts on this? Does this make for a better functioning vehicle? Yay or nay?

Today we’d love to take a minute to answer that exact question.

Question: What are the positives and negatives of warming up my car prior to leaving the house? 

Pros :

• Let’s start with the obvious… You’re cozy and WARM during your entire commute.
• With newer Ford models offering remote start, you don’t even need to step outside to warm up your car. A heated car is as simple as pushing a button from the comfort of your home!
• Your safety is another reason to warm up your car before driving off. Defrosting allows for a much better line of vision, making an accident much less likely. 
• When vehicles had carburetors before the 1980’s, it was often necessary to warm up the vehicle; warming the car for several minutes allowed the right amount of fuel and air to go to the engine. Without this combination, vehicles would stall and sputter. The transition to the electronic fuel injection meant that the proper air-fuel mix was delivered without the necessity of warming up a car. Though the tradition has continued over the years, warming up the car is not currently necessary to keep your car running.

Cons –

• Idling your engine for long periods of time has the potential to cause a raw gasoline seep into the oil. This may cause wear and tear and damage to your vehicle.
• The longer the car is on, the more fuel burns. For every 15 minutes your car idles, you lose a quarter gallon of gas. The more fuel that burns, the more money you are burning!
• Excessive idling can cause damage to other parts of your car, such as the spark plugs, exhaust system and cylinders.
• Idling for a prolonged amount of time is also noted to be bad for the environment and human health.
• The engine actually warms up faster being driven!

The verdict: 

Taking about 30 seconds to let the car warm up for your own comfort and safety is one thing. But when it comes to your car’s overall performance and our environment, it’s best not to leave an idle car for longer than that. The idea that your car needs time to warm up before driving is based on vehicles that are now decades old. With current car technology, you are good to quickly drive away into your daily routine. Happy commuting, friends!