Mechanics Stay Busy During Winter Blast
By: Jackie Smith
Updated: February 3, 2011
MIDLAND -- A cold blast of Arctic air can cause problems for people trying to get around in their cars.
Mechanics all across the Basin have been busy fixing tire pressure and changing batteries.
The Midas Shop in Midland says they're selling triple the amount of batteries they usually do in one day. So, the cold weather is something this local business is welcoming.
Tyler Cortez is taking extra precautions. He's plugging in his car because he doesn't want to be stuck, on these slick roads.
"It runs electricity through your car to keep it warm, sometimes in the morning it has a hard time starting," said Cortez, who is a cautious driver.
Danny Mitchell -- the general manager of Midas West Texas -- has been working hard all week keeping tires in check and changing batteries.
"When it gets extremely cold like this, it is pretty brutal on a car," said Mitchell.
Starting a car become harder to do every morning during a cold snap. Mitchell says that batteries don't know how to handle this cold blast.
"When it gets to sub freezing temperatures, a marginal battery will go ahead and die, and that's what we have seeing a lot of," said Mitchell.
Another effect of the weather is that tire pressure lights might start blinking.
"75 degrees, by Monday night it was 25 degrees," said Mitchell. "That 50 degree temperature change will usually make that tire pressure drop to 5 PSI's."
Mitchell's crew is breaking their backs to get people back out on the roads. Mitchell recommends that drivers keep driving.
"We got a few inches and a little cold weather," said Mitchell. "Apart from your car not getting out that's really not going to solve anything."
Mitchell advises drivers to be careful. Especially for first time snow drivers like Tyler.
"This is a first for me," said Cortez. "If you don't go real fast -- if you slow down it's not hard."
For a safer drive, Mitchell suggesst checking your fluids -- especially the radiator fluid -- because they tend to freeze up. Also, don't let your gas tank get too close to empty. The gas can freeze there too if it gets cold enough.
Jackie Smith can be reached via e-mail at jsmith@kmid.tv.
Mechanics all across the Basin have been busy fixing tire pressure and changing batteries.
The Midas Shop in Midland says they're selling triple the amount of batteries they usually do in one day. So, the cold weather is something this local business is welcoming.
Tyler Cortez is taking extra precautions. He's plugging in his car because he doesn't want to be stuck, on these slick roads.
"It runs electricity through your car to keep it warm, sometimes in the morning it has a hard time starting," said Cortez, who is a cautious driver.
Danny Mitchell -- the general manager of Midas West Texas -- has been working hard all week keeping tires in check and changing batteries.
"When it gets extremely cold like this, it is pretty brutal on a car," said Mitchell.
Starting a car become harder to do every morning during a cold snap. Mitchell says that batteries don't know how to handle this cold blast.
"When it gets to sub freezing temperatures, a marginal battery will go ahead and die, and that's what we have seeing a lot of," said Mitchell.
Another effect of the weather is that tire pressure lights might start blinking.
"75 degrees, by Monday night it was 25 degrees," said Mitchell. "That 50 degree temperature change will usually make that tire pressure drop to 5 PSI's."
Mitchell's crew is breaking their backs to get people back out on the roads. Mitchell recommends that drivers keep driving.
"We got a few inches and a little cold weather," said Mitchell. "Apart from your car not getting out that's really not going to solve anything."
Mitchell advises drivers to be careful. Especially for first time snow drivers like Tyler.
"This is a first for me," said Cortez. "If you don't go real fast -- if you slow down it's not hard."
For a safer drive, Mitchell suggesst checking your fluids -- especially the radiator fluid -- because they tend to freeze up. Also, don't let your gas tank get too close to empty. The gas can freeze there too if it gets cold enough.
Jackie Smith can be reached via e-mail at jsmith@kmid.tv.
