Driving Less? Don't Overlook Maintenance, Mr. Goodwrench Says

Perhaps you're taking public transportation, telecommuting, canceling the family road trip, or carpooling with nearby coworkers. New data from the DOT reveals that since last November, Americans have reduced their mileage by a staggering 62.6 billion miles. This compares to a total 1970s driving reduction of 49.3 billion miles.

But while you're merrily riding the streetcar or clambering into the back row of your coworker's shiny new Ford Flex (or Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Mazda CX-9, or Dodge Journey), your forlorn car still needs some attention, even if you only drive it but once a week.

GM's Mr. Goodwrench wisely advises that batteries and tires are two of the biggest victims of neglect. Clean battery terminals help deliver all those amps to crank your engine on the coldest of mornings, and properly inflated tires improve gas mileage, safety, and tire longevity.

Says Robert Sinclair, spokesperson for AAA of New York, "the top two items that we get calls for are flat tires and dead batteries--and yet they are the easiest things to maintain."

Specifically, corrosion around the battery terminals limits the amount of current that can flow from battery to starter motor (like a clogged pipe limits the flow of water). On a cold morning, when a battery's chemical reactions aren't yielding as much current, it's important that every one of those cold cranking amps can make it to the starter. So open that hood and if you see anything weird and moldy on your battery terminals, buy a battery post cleaner and some di-electric grease from your local auto parts supplier. It should only cost you around 10 bucks and possibly save your hide in an upcoming January snowstorm. Also, make it a practice to drive your sitting car once a week and get it out on the highway for a good 20 minutes. This will give the alternator an opportunity to charge the battery up to full capacity.

You've all been lectured about the importance of tire pressure, so keep that gauge handy, and realize that pressures will drop along with temperatures.--Colin Mathews Tire pressureEnlarge PhotoPerhaps you're taking public transportation, telecommuting, canceling the family road trip, or carpooling with nearby coworkers. New data from the DOT reveals that since last November, Americans have reduced their mileage by a staggering 62.6 billion miles. This compares to a total 1970s driving reduction of 49.3 billion miles. But while you're merrily riding the streetcar or clambering into the back row of your coworker's shiny new Ford Flex (or Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Mazda CX-9, or Dodge Journey), your forlorn car still needs some attention, even if you only drive it but once a week. GM's Mr. Goodwrench wisely advises that batteries and tires are two of the biggest victims of neglect. Clean battery terminals help deliver all those amps to crank your engine on the coldest of mornings, and properly inflated tires improve gas mileage, safety, and tire longevity. Says Robert Sinclair, spokesperson for AAA of New York, "the top two items that we get calls for are flat tires and dead batteries--and yet they are the easiest things to maintain." Specifically, corrosion around the battery terminals limits the amount of current that can flow from battery to starter motor (like a clogged pipe limits the flow of water). On a cold morning, when a battery's chemical reactions aren't yielding as much current, it's important that every one of those cold cranking amps can make it to the starter. So open that hood and if you see anything weird and moldy on your battery terminals, buy a battery post cleaner and some di-electric grease from your local auto parts supplier. It should only cost you around 10 bucks and possibly save your hide in an upcoming January snowstorm. Also, make it a practice to drive your sitting car once a week and get it out on the highway for a good 20 minutes. This will give the alternator an opportunity to charge the battery up to full capacity. You've all been lectured about the importance of tire pressure, so keep that gauge handy, and realize that pressures will drop along with temperatures.--Colin Mathews