With colder temperatures now here, AAA is reminding drivers to make sure their car battery is ready to go.
According to the travel agency, AAA responded to over 270,000 battery-related calls last year in the East-Central region. Over 50,000 of those calls resulted in new batteries.
AAA recommends testing batteries before winter begins. Officials say the intense summer heat can cause corrosion, causing a vehicle’s battery to be more vulnerable to the rigors of winter. AAA also recommends going through a number of other vehicle checks before the winter.
- Tire Type and Tread: In areas with heavy winter weather, changing to snow tires on all four wheels will provide the best winter traction. Testing tire’s tread is easy: insert a quarter into a tread groove with the top of George Washington’s head facing down. If you can see the top of Washington’s head, it’s time to start shopping for new tires.
- Tire Pressure: Typically, tire pressure decreases 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit that the temperature drops, putting owners at risk for a flat tire. The proper tire pressure levels can be found on a sticker located on the driver’s side door jamb.
- Wiper Blades: Replace blades that leave streaks or miss spots. Consider installing winter wiper blades that wrap the blade in a rubber boot to prevent ice and snow buildup.
- Washer Fluid: Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a cleaning solution that has antifreeze components.
- Coolant Levels: If your engine coolant level is low, add the recommended coolant to maintain the necessary antifreeze capability.
