By Natalie De La Garza
Staff Writer
CARIBOU, Maine — Following a handful of tips from senior automotive students at the Caribou Regional Technology Center will help drivers stay safe once the snow starts flying over a blanket of ice — as such is par for the course of a northern Maine winter. Students of Kevin Keaton’s automotive technology class took some time out of their coursework on Friday morning to cover the basics of winter preparation for most vehicles. Caleb Hewitt of New Sweden advises folks to check all the lights on their vehicles – brake lights, turn signals, high beams and, of course, the headlights.
“You’re going to want to check your headlights, because you’re going to need those for visibility especially in the dark when there’s a snow or a blizzard going,” he said. Using headlight polish, lights can be cleaned and buffed so they’re bright and shiny.
Jamey Lessard of Westfield advises drivers to get a good set of snow tires, “and make sure you have a spare, in or under your vehicle that it’s inflated, and in good condition,” he said. Folks also will need a jack in their vehicle, one that you pick up at a store preferably. Instructor Keaton emphasized the need for snow tires, as they help vehicles grip an icy road. “We live in a severe weather climate — where the weather is severe,” he reiterated.
Mike Michaud of Presque Isle suggested that drivers keep an emergency kit ready to go and geared up for the winter.
“Have an emergency kit with blanket, hats, gloves, flashlights, shovel, roadside flairs, and a basic tool kit,” Michaud said, “just in case you break down and have to wait a while before you get a tow.”
Keaton also strongly suggested all vehicles contain a fire extinguisher year round.
Dana Soucier of Presque Isle advised drivers to make sure their antifreeze is in good shape come winter.
“Make sure the freeze protection is good on it, make sure you have enough to last you through the whole winter,” Soucier said.
Though it’s good to check the fluid level — checking the condition of antifreeze is a different endeavor.
“Not everybody owns a refractometer or hydrometer, or an antifreeze test kit,” Keaton said. “You should have a professional check the condition of it.”
Alex Ouellette of Presque Isle reminds folks to make sure their battery is in good condition. “You make to make sure you’re voltage is good and make sure the connections are tidy,” he said.
While there’s lots a driver can do themselves to ready their vehicle for winter, there’s a little more professionals can bring to the preparatory tasks.
“Realistically, the best thing for someone to do that really wants to make sure they’re safe for winter is to bring their car to a professional and actually have a safety inspection done and make sure that their vehicle is in tip top shape,” Keaton said, and advised drivers of one more crucial tip.
“(Make sure you have) winter wiper blades and winter washer fluids, a lot of washer fluid is only rated down to 20 degrees,” Keaton said, advising that 20-degree wiper fluid will be a block of ice on a -20 degree morning.
