Glass America Offers a Checklist of Tips for Cold Weather Vehicle Preparedness

Chicago, IL, January 28, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Glass America is releasing their 2011 checklist for winter driving. Glass America is one of the largest independently-owned automobile glass replacement and repair companies in the country. They urge all drivers to spend a few minutes making sure they are prepared for the winter driving season ahead.

“All drivers need to prepare themselves for winter with a simple checklist to ensure their family’s safety on the roads,” says David Rohlfing, President and CEO of Glass America. “As a company that focuses on windshield safety, we are very attuned to the needs of drivers during the cold weather season.”

Tips to Prepare Your Car for Winter Driving

Preventative maintenance:

- Check the treads on your tires to make sure they can grip during slippery and icy conditions. Insert a penny in the treads. If you see the entire top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace the tire.
- Check your anti-freeze
- Replace worn wiper blades and refill windshield wiper fluid
- Check belts and hoses for fraying and cracking; replace as necessary
- Keep up with regular maintenance such as oil changes and switch to a winter weight oil in cold climates
- Check your turn signals, head lights and tail lights
- Check your battery at a local service station (some do this for free)

Ice/Snow Removal:

- Remove all snow and ice from your vehicle’s roof, windshield and hood with a scraper and brush. This is a law in many states because dangerous ice blocks can form that may blow off onto cars behind you, causing damage and even breaking windshields.
- Do not use hot water to melt ice on your windshield which can spread cracks in the windshield. Instead, warm up your car before driving, using the warm air blowers and defroster to slowly heat up the front and rear auto glass.
- When expecting a big storm, use an ice and snow cover for your car’s windshield to reduce the time it takes to clean it off.

What to do if you get a crack or chip in your windshield:

- If your windshield damage is minor, and not directly in the driver’s line of vision, your auto glass can be repaired for a fraction of the cost of replacement. The windshield repair process takes about 30 minutes. Even better, most insurance companies waive your comprehensive deductible so the auto glass repair could cost you nothing.
- If the windshield damage is more severe than a minor chip or crack, or if the crack is in the driver’s line of vision, then most likely your windshield will require replacement.
- Download our brochure on Safe Windshield Installation.

Create an emergency kit in your vehicle:

- Basic tool box
- Box of kitty litter (for traction on ice)
- Cell phone
- Cell phone charger
- Emergency blanket
- Extra baby care items: diapers, wipes, bottles
- Extra fuses
- First aid kit
- Flashlight (Reverse the batteries to avoid accidental burnout when not in use.)
- Gloves
- Hats
- Ice scraper and brush
- Jumper cables
- Portable car battery charger (This will be your new best friend in an emergency.)
- Reflective hazard triangles (flares run out)
- Small metal shovel
- Snacks for the family (for traffic jams during storms)
- Socks
- Spare tire, Fix-a-Flat, and/or tire pump
- Water

Finally, remember to observe posted speed limits, and drive slowly during poor visibility and slippery conditions. Avoid sudden or jerky movements during acceleration and braking.

About Glass America

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Glass America is one of the largest independently-owned automobile glass replacement and repair companies in the country. The company is American owned and operated, with 95 service centers conducting business under the names Glass America and Auto Glass Service in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Glass America offers a complete line of auto glass repair and replacement services for all years, makes and models, foreign and domestic, commercial or passenger vehicles. In contrast to many auto glass companies in the country, Glass America buys glass only from OEM (original equipment manufactured) suppliers. This means the proper windshield with the perfect fit.

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