Driving during cold weather
● Check the battery, including terminals and cables. During extremely cold weather, the battery will not be as strong. Also, the battery power level may drop because more power is used for cold starting and driving. Before driving the vehicle, check to see if the engine runs at the proper speed and if the headlights are as bright as normally. Charge or replace the battery if necessary. Dur- ing extreme cold weather, it is possible that a very low battery could freeze.
● Warm the engine sufficiently. After starting the engine, allow a short warm-up time to distribute oil to all cylin- ders. Then drive your vehicle slowly.
● Stay at low speeds at first so that the manual transaxle oil or the automatic transaxle fluid has time to spread to all the lubrication points.
● Manual transaxle can be harder to shift in cold weather conditions. This is normal and shifting will get easier as the transaxle warms up.
● Check the engine antifreeze. If there is not enough coolant because of a leak or from engine overheating, add high-quality ethylene glycol anti- freeze and water. The recommended blend is about 50 % water and 50 % anti-freeze. Use a higher concentration (not over 60 %) when the outside temperature is -31 °F (-35 °C) or lower. When the engine is working very hard (for example, during mountain driving and/or when the outside temperature is high), use a 50 % concentration. This blend will provide adequate protection from corro- sion and boiling.
WARNING! ● The battery gives off explosive hydrogen gas. Any
spark or flame can cause the battery to explode, which could cause serious injury or death. Always wear protective clothes and a face mask when working with your battery, or let a skilled mechanic do it.
WARNING! ● Never open the radiator cap when the radiator is
hot. You could be seriously burned.
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