CarMax Offers Advice on How to Winterize Your Car

To make sure your car is ready for cold weather, CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, offers advice on how to winterize your car.

“The harsh winter weather can amplify hidden problems that aren’t easy to spot during warm weather,” said Tom Damon, CarMax ASE Master Technician from Kenosha, Wis. “This increases the importance of winter car maintenance.”

CarMax technicians offer these tips:
Check your oil-Make sure your oil is changed with the right thickness for this time of year, and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Changes in temperature affect how oil lubricates the engine.
Check your anti-freeze-Anti-freeze or coolant, when broken down, will be unable to provide the necessary protection for your vehicle. Cooling system failure is the number one cause of engine-related breakdowns.
Inspect your windshield wipers and washer fluid-One of the least expensive preventative maintenance items for your vehicle is to replace your wiper blades and fill the windshield washer reservoir with freeze-resistant washer fluid.
Service your battery-Cold weather starts require a well-functioning charging system. Make sure the battery terminal ends are corrosion-free.
Check your tire pressure-Check the pressure when tires are cold, and set the pressure to the level that the manufacturer recommends. Worn tires decrease the traction between your vehicle and the road, and affects handling, braking and accelerating. These issues get worse in hazardous weather.
Check your lights, heater and defrosters-Winter months bring poor visibility conditions. Your vehicle needs to be as visible as possible, so ensure that all exterior lights function. Also, check that your heater and defrosters are working properly.
Inspect your belts and hoses-All of the rubber belts and hoses should be checked for heavy cracks or worn conditions.
Is your car due for a tune-up?-The cold weather increases the workload of the engine. A tune-up can prevent sluggish performance, poor gas mileage, and hard starts.
Have your car’s brake system checked-If you haven’t had the system inspected in the last six months, it’s time for this service.
Assemble a winter emergency kit-A winter emergency kit in the trunk prepares you for a sudden breakdown. It should include a blanket, extra boots and gloves, an ice scraper, windshield washer fluid, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, flares, a small snow shovel, a flashlight, non-clumping kitty litter (for traction when stuck in snow), and bottled water.

“In addition, you might want to have your exhaust system checked for leaks and keep your gas tank at least half full,” Monsen said. “This will help prevent moisture from freezing the gas lines.”

Along with following these tips, it’s also important to read your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules. Not only will these tips keep you safe in the winter months but they can also improve your vehicle’s mileage while also preventing future repairs down the road.

About CarMax

CarMax, a FORTUNE 500 company, and one of the FORTUNE 2008 “100 Best Companies to Work For,” is the nation’s largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 99 used car superstores in 46 markets. The unique CarMax consumer offer provides our customers the opportunity to shop for vehicles the way they shop for items at other national retailers, and it is structured around four customer benefits: low, no-haggle prices; a broad selection; high quality vehicles; and a customer-friendly sales process. During the twelve months ended February 29, 2008, the company retailed 377,244 used vehicles and sold 222,406 wholesale vehicles at its in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMax website at http://www.carmax.com.

Contacts

CarMax, Inc.
Trina Lee
Public Relations Director
804-747-0422, ext. 4197
or
Chris Wilmore
Assistant Public Relations Manager, New Media
804-747-0422, ext. 4773