From an expert on towing: Steps to take to avoid getting towed this winter

If you’re a snow bird and are planning to pack up the car and head for warmer climes  for the winter, routine vehicle maintenance will suffice to get you through the coming months.

For those sticking it out here in traditionally snowy New England, there are a few extra steps to take to avoid getting stuck —or worse.

Arnie Agar, veteran mechanic and owner of Arnold’s Garage in North Canaan, offered a list of quick, easy and almost-always affordable ways to keep vehicles safe and dependable.

“We do a lot of towing, and we see the predicaments people get into,†Agar said. “In the summer, it’s one thing to get stuck out on the road. In the winter, it’s a whole different story.

“The first thing you should do,†he advised, “is throw a heavy blanket in your car.â€

Add to that a foldable shovel and either sand or kitty litter. The kitty litter actually provides the best traction, and can be found at the supermarket in easy-to-tote plastic jugs.

As for keeping the car up to snuff from a mechanical standpoint, the first thing to do is crack open the owner’s manual.

Newer cars are generally safer than are older ones, Agar said, not just because of air bags and such, but because ever-advancing technology means there is less routine maintenance needed — and fewer breakdowns.

But, and it’s a big but, technology is advancing so quickly, manufacturers are all going in different directions.

“It’s really important to check your owner’s manual for what the manufacturer recommends for servicing intervals, parts and fluids for your particular car.â€

Upkeep can be daunting for even the seasoned do-it-yourselfer, especially with the new computer-driven cars. Arnold’s, like more and more auto shops, has software that gives the mechanic specific information about each make and model.

A basic service check, which can cost as little as $35 plus any needed replacement parts and labor, can extend vehicle life — and avoid the need for more costly repairs down the road.

Agar offered a list of winter essentials that should be carefully monitored.

Antifreeze: Coolant should be flushed about every 24 months. But when temperatures  dip below 30 degrees, a 50-50 mix of water and antifreeze should be in the vehicle’s radiator. (This is one of those times to check the manual for a more specific recommendation.)

Tires: If you can’t wait for roads to be cleared before you go out driving, and/or if you do a lot of back road driving, snow tires are a must. Two are good, and they should be mounted on the drive wheels. Four are better. Studded snow tires are recommended for those with steep driveways. Tire studs are legal from Nov. 15 to April 15.

Belts and hoses: Check hoses and belts for cracks, and replace them as needed.

Have your mechanic check the serpentine belt. If it’s five years or older, that belt probably needs to be replaced. Vehicles now depend on the serpentine for multiple engine functions.

Timing belts should be replaced as the manual recommends, usually at 60,000 to 100,000 miles. A worn timing belt will eventually destroy an engine.

Dry gas: Add some about every third time you get a tankful of gas, to prevent condensation and fuel line ice blockage. Agar recommends that engines should also have injection cleaner added with regular oil and filter changes.

Battery: Cold weather literally sucks the life out of batteries, and a new one can be your car’s best friend — and yours — in the winter. Check connections for signs of erosion. Ask your mechanic to do a “low test.†Replace the battery or connectors as needed.

Heater and defroster: By now, you probably know if yours are working. Adequate defrosting, rear window included, is a bigger safety feature than most people realize, Agar warned.

Wipers and blades: Consider buying specially treated blades guaranteed not to freeze to the windshield.

Let the car warm up and the windshield defrost before attempting to use the wipers.Always check wipers that may be stuck by attempting to lift them by hand. Turning them on and forcing the motor to work against immoveable wipers is likely to damage both.

Use antifreeze solution washer fluid.

More time, fewer tows

All these precautions can be summed up as an investment of that most precious commodity:time.

Taking the time for preventive measures, scheduling a trip to the mechanic, allowing extra time before heading out and while on the road all add up to getting there safely.

And remember that winter’s fury can overcome any vehicle or any degree of driving skill.

“We see far more 4-wheel drives in accidents,†Agar said. “People think they are indestructible and then they aren’t as careful as they should be. You hit black ice, it doesn’t matter what you’re driving.â€

Public ice skating at Hotchkiss rink

SALISBURY — The Hotchkiss School Schmidt Rink will be open to the public for ice skating, sponsored by Salisbury Recreation, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the following Saturdays: Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18, Jan. 8,15,22,29 and Feb. 5 and 12.

The cost is $3 per person payable at the door.  All participants are required to wear skates and a hat while on the ice. The following safety equipment is recommended for all skaters: helmet, elbow pads and gloves. Hockey sticks and pucks are not permitted.

Cancellations due to weather will be posted on the town website, salisburyct.us.

For further information, contact Lisa McAuliffe at 860-435-5186 or e-mail recreationdirector@salisburyct.us.