Post by DEERTRACKS on Oct 5, 2007 9:48:06 GMT -5
Winterize Your Utility Vehicle
By: NAHC Editors
Properly winterizing your utility vehicle before cold weather hits this fall is the best way to ensure that you get the best performance from your vehicle during cold weather.
Jason Lutes, technical training instructor at Club Car, advises utility vehicle owners to start the winterizing process by checking to see if your vehicle has the proper concentration of engine coolant, and replacing it with a new coolant mixture if it hasn't been changed according to your maintenance schedule.
There are two types of coolant used in Club Car's XRT utility vehicles - an ethylene glycol-based material, and an environmentally friendly propylene glycol-based coolant - and Lutes cautions against mixing the two types of coolant.
"Be sure you identify which of the two types it is," he said. "Then, it must be completely evacuated and filled to prescribed levels."
Another important step for winter driving is changing the engine lubrication and using the correct lubricant.
"You can't just use anything," Lutes said. "Be sure to use the prescribed lubricant. If you're not, you’re not getting the best performance. And that means you're not getting what you paid for."
Regardless of the season, make sure that your vehicle’s engine lubrication isn't degraded.
"If engine lubrication is used too long, it can cause serious problems," Lutes said.
Lutes says you should also do a complete walk-around of your vehicle before cold weather sets in.
"Some people don't do that," He said. "But you need to make sure that there are no exposed, damaged components, and you need to be sure that you have the proper tires with good tread. And be sure the tires are properly inflated. On unimproved surfaces when it’s cold and slick, you really need good tire traction."
Lutes says to refer to the "Preventive Maintenance" section of your vehicle's owner's manual for additional maintenance information.
"Doing it the way Club Car recommends really makes a difference," he said. "If you do it the right way, you'll get up and running safely this winter. Not only that, you’ll save time and money down the road."
By: NAHC Editors
Properly winterizing your utility vehicle before cold weather hits this fall is the best way to ensure that you get the best performance from your vehicle during cold weather.
Jason Lutes, technical training instructor at Club Car, advises utility vehicle owners to start the winterizing process by checking to see if your vehicle has the proper concentration of engine coolant, and replacing it with a new coolant mixture if it hasn't been changed according to your maintenance schedule.
There are two types of coolant used in Club Car's XRT utility vehicles - an ethylene glycol-based material, and an environmentally friendly propylene glycol-based coolant - and Lutes cautions against mixing the two types of coolant.
"Be sure you identify which of the two types it is," he said. "Then, it must be completely evacuated and filled to prescribed levels."
Another important step for winter driving is changing the engine lubrication and using the correct lubricant.
"You can't just use anything," Lutes said. "Be sure to use the prescribed lubricant. If you're not, you’re not getting the best performance. And that means you're not getting what you paid for."
Regardless of the season, make sure that your vehicle’s engine lubrication isn't degraded.
"If engine lubrication is used too long, it can cause serious problems," Lutes said.
Lutes says you should also do a complete walk-around of your vehicle before cold weather sets in.
"Some people don't do that," He said. "But you need to make sure that there are no exposed, damaged components, and you need to be sure that you have the proper tires with good tread. And be sure the tires are properly inflated. On unimproved surfaces when it’s cold and slick, you really need good tire traction."
Lutes says to refer to the "Preventive Maintenance" section of your vehicle's owner's manual for additional maintenance information.
"Doing it the way Club Car recommends really makes a difference," he said. "If you do it the right way, you'll get up and running safely this winter. Not only that, you’ll save time and money down the road."