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BY Sean Becker | Photos by Emily Brashier
Oklahoma claims a relatively short tenure within the greater context of the United States. Let’s be honest—being admitted as the 46th out of 50 states doesn’t exactly grant us ‘original colony’ status. We are well down the B-list roll call. Regardless of our social position in the nation’s fabric, we don’t let it get us down. We’re still a pretty decent party guest. We bring a moderately under-spiced covered dish, and we are the unabashed small-talk champions of the world.
There’s a reason for our bountiful banter. Despite the state’s brief history, Oklahoma possesses one vernacular peculiarity. We can talk about the weather at length at any time and with a level of sophistication and detail usually reserved for professional meteorologists. We come by our hyperawareness honestly—weather around these parts does some wacky stuff. While the spring storm season gets the most attention—and rightfully so—it is the silly Sooner Stater who turns his or her nose up on winter.
November finally brings a little chill into the air. Average daytime highs start dipping into the 50s. Record-level lows lie well below freezing. And there’s always that wind thing going on. That does not make outdoor adventures any more pleasant. Before things get too out of hand, do yourself one big favor and give your family car a good once-over. Cold weather and winter precipitation can make your life miserable on your best day. If your family car is unprepared, things can get downright nasty.
For a few professional car winterization tips, we spoke with Pat Smith, affable owner of Pat’s Tire & Auto Repair. Smith’s assessment of Oklahoma winters is a pretty good one. “Winter sneaks up on you,” he explains. “It can be beautiful and then the next day it’s ugly.” When the mercury heads south and the anemometer is spinning like a helicopter, you don’t want to be sitting on the side of the road wondering what went wrong.
Though Smith’s operation is a tire center in name, the bulk of their business comes from maintenance and repair work. He offers up his laundry list of items to check before winter comes sweeping down the plains.
Check Your Charge
Chances are, you don’t think about your car battery a whole lot. According to Smith, you’re not alone. “Nobody thinks about it until [your engine]won’t turn over,” he laughs. Cold weather saps your car battery’s power significantly. At the same time, cold temperatures mean your car needs more battery power to start. It’s a recipe for disaster. “Extreme heat or cold will knock out a weak battery,” Smith advises. “If your battery is 5 years old, you’re on borrowed time.” If you have an aging battery or if you notice your car struggling to start, play it safe. Getting a new battery now can save you some serious frustration in the future.
Play it Cool(ant)
For people who love cars, preventable repair nightmares strike a chord in their hearts. Smith shares an oft-told tale of coolant system breakdowns. “Every winter—it makes me sick to my stomach—somebody comes in with a coolant system that has frozen,” he says. When that happens, the diagnosis is dire: “There are no two ways about it—you need a new engine,” Smith continues. If you haven’t had your radiator and coolant system flushed and serviced recently, get it done now. Smith suggests doing this every 2 years. An occasional $100-150 for a coolant system service is a lot cheaper than a car payment. “I don’t know too many people who come in thinking they’re going to have to buy a new car,” is how Smith puts it. “That’s a bad day.”
Get a Grip
A recent ad campaign by a tire manufacturer made a point of educating consumers that the only part of your car that touches the pavement is the tires. When roads are wet with snow or—perish the thought—ice, you’ll be thinking a lot about that relationship. As a dealer, Smith thinks a lot about tires. He urges motorists to play it safe when it comes to your treads. “If you’re on the marginal side [of tire life], get new tires before winter and not after,” he cautions. If the alternative is slip-sliding away all winter, Smith suggests that you weigh your options. “[Sliding around all winter] is not worth trying to get another 3,000 miles out of your old tires.”
See Clearly Now
When the snow, sleet, rain or just dust is slamming sideways across the horizon, driving can be difficult. Making it through that mess on a dark night on the Kilpatrick Turnpike is downright dangerous—especially if you can’t see where you’re going. In a drought-stricken state like Oklahoma, it’s easy to forget about windshield wiper wear and tear. Smith warns against falling into that trap. Those hot summer days don’t do those rubber windshield wiper blades any favors. “Over time they oxidize in the sun,” Smith explains. “If they’re not cleaning the windshield, that’s a safety issue.” Most oil-change places will replace your wiper blades for a few extra bucks. You’ll see immediate results!
Lighten Up
Oklahoma has done away with state-conducted auto inspections. While that has eliminated another hoop drivers need to jump through, Smith did find one good thing to say about the old bureaucratic mandate. “They used to check all the lights and made sure they worked.” It’s not too difficult to identify a burned-out headlight, but your taillights are another story. Regardless of the season, get in the habit of checking brake lights, license-plate lights and turn signals on a regular basis. Bulbs are cheap and usually pretty easy to replace. That’s truly a small price to pay for greater visibility—ahead and behind.
Be Prepared
Even the best-maintained vehicle can have a hiccup every once in a while. “You never know when you’re going to have car trouble,” Smith muses. Accept the fact that someday out there your car is going to die. When it happens, you don’t have to be completely left out in the cold. The American Automobile Association (better known, of course, as “AAA”) suggests keeping several items on hand in case of emergency. The list includes winter clothing and blankets; a flashlight; jumper cables; food; a cell phone; a first aid kit; and emergency flares. If you are stranded on the side of the road, these items will help keep you safe until help arrives.
In the vast expanse that is the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, driving is a fact of life. With holiday travel looming large on the calendar, take the good advice offered up here from a local car care professional to keep your ride up to snuff. Getting there might be half the fun, but getting stuck on the way is no fun at all.
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