In spite of the Valley temps currently still exceeding 100 degrees, it will not be long before night comes early and temperatures begin dropping.  As we all know winter is not a good time to have vehicle trouble.

Just as cold weather takes its toll on a vehicle, so do the hot Valley summers in California.  Just the other day, my MINI reminded me that I really should think about checking those windshield wiper blades.   Flying down the freeway after a long day at work, with the radio playing our favorite tunes and the AC blasting cool air, my sweetie took it upon herself to engage her “early detection windshield wiper blade failure system”.  She did this by spontaneously waiving strips of the wiper blade at me as I drove along.  Being the considerate little lady that she is and safety minded as well, she only waved at me from the passenger side of the car; not enough to distract my driving, but enough to get my attention as if to say, “excuse me, but we really need to address this before the first rain storm.”  That was on Thursday; on Sunday, I took MINImowse to see Dr. Steve and he fitted her with new blades.  By  Monday night, we had our first thunder-storm and rain in months.  Is my baby good or what; not only is she great fun to drive but she obviously watches the weather channel and keeps us motoring safely!

 Although California doesn’t have the extreme weather of the East Coast, it’s still a good idea to check your car before entering the Fall and Winter seasons. Therefore, although I have shared this post before, it is always a good idea to review your car using our 12 point checklist.

12 point Weatherization Checklist

1. Tune up the motor. (Check your Air, Oil and Fuel filters, including new spark plugs, ignition cap, rotor and wires as necessary. Ignition system needs to be in top shape to battle the cold. )
2. Check the anti-freeze. (Only fill with premium brand anti-freeze, make sure to check your owner’s manual for proper anti-freeze type.)
3. Check all other fluid levels and fill as needed. (Brake Fluid, Oil, etc.)
4. Fill wiper fluid reservoir with de-icing solution.
5. Check the battery. (You can load test your battery at any local auto parts store or have your MINI’s doctor assist you.)
6. Check the tread and air pressure of tires. (You want to insure good grip on the slick roads, also good for the gas mileage of your vehicle.)
7. Inspect the brakes. (Quick visual inspection will give you peace of mind driving in cold harsh conditions.)
8. Install good windshield wiper blades. (Good wipers will keep your windshield free and clear.)
9. Check headlights and signal lights. (A good idea every time you wash your car as one last detailing item.)
10. Check belts and hoses, replace as necessary. (Any cracks will only get worse in the cold weather, leading to more expensive repairs.)
11. Ensure heater and defroster are in good working condition.
12. And last but not least -

We suggest you keep a Cold Weather Kit in your trunk

A Cold Weather Kit contains the following: a shovel, snow chains, an ice scraper, flares, a blanket, a first aid kit, candles, non-perishable food items, warm gloves, boots, a flashlight, and a cell phone if you live where it snows or if traveling through areas where it could snow.

Although our MINIs are a blast to drive in all weather conditions, and can pretty much handle whatever Mother Nature chooses to throw at them, do remind them that we all have our limits.  As much as my MINImowse loves to splash in puddles, I have made it very clear to her that she cannot swim.  They may not want to hear it, but MINIs do have limits too.

After reading an article by Jennifer Knightstep, Automotive Correspondent for the Journal Register Newspapers, I started from her basic car resolution list and composed my own Top 10 MINI Resolutions for 2012.

While the rest of the world is busy making New Year’s  resolutions involving weight loss or budgets, Jennifer and I have been making a list of  resolutions about our cars. Some are obvious (like not driving when too tired or drunk – not me, I don’t drink)  and some are highly subjective (like not applying a small stick-figure family  to my rear window), but all have merit.

10. I will change my oil every 3,000 miles or every six  months, whichever comes first.  Given my  stop and go driving and the short daily trips that I take, my baby deserves clean  oil.  As Jennifer pointed out, countless studies and loads of  evidence have shown that regular maintenance, including oil changes, can  greatly improve fuel economy and extend your vehicle’s life.

9. I will wash my car at least every other week.  Though scientific research does not bear this  out, Jennifer and I both believe that a clean car exhibits improved performance and handling  over a dirty car, plus she feels better (MINImowse that is, not Jennifer).   Don’t you feel grimy after a workout?  Plus MINImowse likes to show off for the MINI Cooper down the street. In the four and one half years that I have owned my MINI she has been given a bath at least every other week and most times once a week with a quick detail as well.

8. I will not resist the allure of window clings: although  the stick figure family, the heart-breaking obituary, the obnoxious political  or social statement, is not my cup of tea. To each his own.  I personally like  “Actual Size” and  “Pre-shrunk”, just be sure that they do not obstruct your  vision.

7. I will patronize my trustworthy mechanic and follow his  advice  (Hi Steve).  Unless you, your father, or  another close family member is a mechanic, find a good one and follow their  advice.  Much like hiring then ignoring a  personal trainer, it doesn’t make sense to find a good mechanic, unless you  plan to heed his (or her) sage maintenance and repair advice.

6. I will set money aside for maintenance and repairs: is  there anything worse than having to dip into your mad money to pay for a new  set of tires or an emergency battery replacement? This New Year, make a new  MINI account, and stash a little cash in it each month to cover unforeseen auto  maintenance and repairs.  And remember,  it is not for mods!

5. I will check my tire pressure regularly and keep my road  service current.  Why is it that a tire  only flattens in the middle of a rain/snowstorm in the dead of night? And why  is it that we only notice we have let our road service lapse at that very  moment? Give yourself a little extra peace of mind now, and resolve to check,  right now, the existence of current and active road service and that your tires are properly inflated.  ( I prefer runflats, I know – but I love them.)

4. I will listen to “Car Talk” on NPR every so often: besides  being wickedly funny and clean enough for the entire family to enjoy, Tom and  Ray also dole out helpful advice and make astute vehicular observations.  Can they make great car sounds or what?

3. I will keep at least a quarter of a tank of gas in my car  at all times: if the great power outage in LA taught us anything, it’s that we  Americans are heavily reliant on our electric grid. From an automotive stance,  it demonstrated that nearly all of our gas stations require it to pump gas and  to run our debit and charge cards, so this New Year, for this and many other  reasons, make a solemn resolution to keep at least a quarter of a tank of gas  in your car at all times.  I shoot for half a tank, MINImowse is a happy girl when her tummy is full.

2. I will be a responsible, courteous driver: this  resolution includes such promises as “I will not drive to slow or too fast” and  “I will not wait until the last possible moment to merge into traffic” and “I will not cut in front of other drivers,  especially when there is no-one behind them” and, of course, “I will not drive  when I have not had enough sleep”.  You may not treasure your life but I treasure mine and MINI’s so don’t take us out as a result of your selfishness.  Don’t drink and drive and don’t drive when you are tired.

1. I will tuck my MINI in the garage every night and make sure that she  knows she is loved.  I will pat her  fender after a tough day on the road just as she welcomes me with her warm and cute perkie look in the parking lot after I have had a hard day at work.  Most importantly, I will love and keep her forever.

For a start, don’t tie your dead granny to the roof racks like the Griswald family did in the classic comedy movie National Lampoon’s Vacation. It will not only ruin your car’s handling and fuel economy, but probably your holiday as well.

Roof racks are good for things you don’t want inside your car such as bottles of alcohol, firewood, large Christmas trees, spare fuel and smelly items like dead relatives. But tying your dead grandmother to the roof would create too much wind drag which would reduce fuel economy and cause de-stabilization at high speeds.  Even filling up the boot with heavy suitcases can affect the handling of your car. Some vehicles have self-leveling rear suspension which takes in account the weight in the cargo area. If you don’t have that, then you should consider getting stiffer shock absorbers on the rear if you are going to carry very heavy items in the boot.

Even if you don’t fill your boot with your gym weights, the extra kilograms in the boot will still have an effect on the tyres. Consult your owner’s manual which will indicate the correct tyre pressures for carrying a load.  As much as possible, try to distribute the load more evenly throughout the car, putting the heavier items toward the front of the luggage compartment or roof racks rather than the rear.  But don’t be tempted to put heavy items in the passenger compartment as these can act as dangerous projectiles in a crash. These items belong in a trailer. However, towing a trailer will have an even bigger impact on your car’s performance and handling and let’s face it how long do you really want to stay with the relatives?  Travel light, that will nesessitate the need for you to get home that much sooner.

A better, cheaper and more convenient option is roof racks. They come in all varieties from soft racks that hold light loads and are easily removable to more permanent stainless steel racks that can take quite heavy loads. However, there are some issues you need to consider:

1. Firstly, check the load rating of your vehicle and your roof rack and never exceed them.
2. Roof luggage also raises the centre of gravity making  your car about as stable as an upside down tenpin.
3. Roof luggage acts like a weight at the end of a  pendulum, making the swaying motion even more pronounced.

This is emphasized in off-road driving where some vehicles already sway and lurch dangerously over uneven surfaces.

There are some simple guidelines to packing the boot or roof racks of your car, Ute or SUV that will ensure you travel safely and conveniently this Holiday.

1. Pack light. Don’t take everything on holidays. After  all, you are most likely visiting relatives and you want an excuse to leave.   Roof racks are an ideal place to store alcohol, but keep this to a minimum as  you are bound to be questioned as to why you keep visiting your car in the in-laws  driveway.
2. Secure the load tightly. Load shift could cause your  vehicle to lurch out of control. Spread the load, especially on roof racks. Too  far forward and it will dive under brakes, too far back and it makes the steering light and vague.
3. Loading and unloading can be a real task. Keep important things that you may need to access at the back of your boot. Use roof  racks to store things you don’t need to access often; the fruit cakes, date bread and ugly Christmas sweaters your in-laws gave you last year.
4. If you have roof racks, remember that your car is now taller, so don’t go into undercover car parks without checking the height of the vehicle or you might get a nasty surprise – not in a MINI, get real.
5. Roof racks can get wet and dusty, so keep valuables inside the car or wrap them in bags that are waterproof and dustproof; no even if you bag the kids, they should not go on the roof racks.

An aerodynamic roof pod will protect your gear, prevent load shift and reduce drag thus preserving fuel economy. However, they are rigid and more difficult to pack than soft bags which are not as aerodynamic.

Racks on the back of the car are convenient for carrying bikes, but remember you will need to remove the rear number plate and fix it on the back of the bar.  Bike racks will also make it more difficult to access the boot.

Finally, don’t forget to pack water for everyone and plug-in those 12V chargers so you don’t run out of mobile phone battery when you need it, or even worse, the kids’ portable computer games consoles run flat.

Face it, holiday road trips are ghastly, but it’s the Holiday Season, smile you drive a MINI, think of the poor stiffs driving inferior cars.