Warning light
“Always pay attention to them and don’t ignore them, because there is ... something wrong that made that light come on,” Rol said. It helps to study your car’s manual and familiarize yourself with what the different light symbols mean so that, if one comes on, you can determine whether the problem is urgent or can wait. For example, if your airbag light comes on, indicating that your airbag will not deploy properly in an accident, you don’t necessarily need to pull over right away, but you should take it to a repair facility as soon as possible, Rol said. A “check engine” light or a brake light, however, is indicative of a more serious problem that could jeopardize your safety on the road if you continue to drive with it on. “You should not be driving,” Rol said. “Get to a safe spot right away — some kind of parking lot, away from traffic — and call a tow truck to take it to a repair facility.”
Frozen/covered in ice
“This definitely happens a lot here in New Hampshire,” Rol said. It’s a good idea to stay up to date on the weather so that, if a snow or ice storm is expected, you can take action to minimize the damage to your car or simply the hassle of getting your car in drivable condition.
One of the simplest things you can do is raise your wiper blades up off the windshield, which will prevent them from freezing to the windshield, making it easier to scrape the ice or snow off your windshield. (Keeping an ice scraper in your car should be a no-brainer, Rol said.) If your wiper blades are stuck to the windshield, scrape the ice off the windshield starting from the top, then scrape more gently as you get down near the wiper blades and remove as much ice as you can before attempting to break the wipers free. Starting your car and turning on the defrost can expedite the process. You may also want to invest in a set of winter wiper blades. “Winter blades are wrapped in rubber, so ice can’t build up in the framing of the blade,” Rol said. “Plus, it shapes to the windshield better and keeps good contact with it so that there are no gaps where ice and snow can build up.” A big mistake people make, Rol said, is trying to break their wiper blades free using the motor. “If you try to do that, you can do damage to the motor or linkage and cause it to break, and then you’ll have no wipers that are working,” he said. “Same goes for frozen windows that won’t go down. Forcing them with the motor will damage the motor, and that costs a few hundred dollars to replace.”
If you have no need to put your windows down, or putting down your windows can wait, rest assured that they will usually thaw out with the car running and the defrost and heat on within 30 to 45 minutes, Rol said. If, however, you do need to break the window free, or if your door handle or lock is frozen shut, you can use either negative-20-degree washer solvent or isopropyl alcohol to melt the ice. If you’re fortunate enough to have a car with a remote start feature, you can also try starting the car, which should eventually warm it up enough for you to be able to open the door.
Stuck in the snow
The best thing you can do to avoid getting stuck in the snow is invest in a set of snow tires, Rol said. “Snow tires are made of a different rubber compound that’s much softer and more pliable, but gives them double the traction of regular, all-season tires,” he said. “They’re always going to help you from getting stuck.” If you do get stuck and the wheels start spinning in place, it is very unlikely at that point that you will be able to drive the car out of its stuck position. “If you keep throwing it into drive and reverse too harshly and hammer on the gas, it puts a lot of stress on the transmission and can do damage,” Rol said.
Raise your wiper blades up off the windshield, which will prevent them from freezing to the windshield.
The next best solution, then, is to shovel the car out, which is why you should always keep a shovel in your car, Rol said. Start by shoveling around the wheels and the bumpers where the snow is packed. You may also want to keep some cat litter or sand in your car, which you can put under the tires to give them additional traction, Rol said. Finally, it’s always wise to keep some survival and emergency supplies in your car in case you can’t get the car unstuck and can’t get help right away. “A lighter, a large, warm blanket, some road flares and a couple of candy bars are all good things to have in the trunk,” Rol said. “Even if you never end up needing it, it’s good to know it’s there.”
Cellular Voltage According to the CDC, 45% of Americans have at least one form of chronic disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. Scientific and medical studies have shown that nutrition and exercise are two key factors for optimal health. The third important factor that is often overlooked is cellular voltage. Our bodies are designed to recover and heal through regeneration, or the making of new, healthy cells. When these three factors are present, optimal cellular function is achieved; healthy cells equal a healthy body! Chronic disease can only occur when you lose the ability to make new cells that work correctly.
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