Page 17 - AAA Northampton County - AAA Now! Spring 2015

AUTO SERVICES
SECRET BATTERY LIFE
AAA
PROTECTING CARS FROM POTHOLES
CAUSED BY SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
As the winter snow and ice begin to melt, unpleasant potholes can begin to appear and become a threat to vehicles.
When winter’s snow and ice finally
melt away, they invariably leave behind
an unpleasant reminder of this winter’s
severe storm season—potholes. “Major
winter storms have affected much of
the country this season. While many
motorists’ cars have made it through the winter storm season unscathed, they could still fall victim to a pothole left in its aftermath,” said Bob Kazmierczak, Vice President, Automotive Services.
Potholes form when moisture collects in small holes and cracks in the road surface. As temperatures rise and fall, the moisture expands and contracts due to freezing and thawing. This breaks up the pavement and, combined with the weight of passing cars, eventually results in a pothole.
To aid motorists in protecting their vehicles from pothole damage, AAA recommends the following:
Inspect Tires – The tire is the most important cushion between a car and a
pothole. Make sure tires have enough tread and are properly inflated. To check the tread depth, insert a quarter into the tread groove with Washington’s head upside down. The tread should cover part of Washington’s head. If it doesn’t, then it’s time to start shopping for new tires. When checking tire pressures, ensure they are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended levels, which can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the driver’s door jamb. Do not use the pressure levels stamped on the sidewall of the tire.
Inspect Suspension – Make certain struts and shock absorbers are in good condition. Changes in vehicle handling, excessive vibration or uneven tire wear can indicate bad shocks or struts. Have the suspension inspected by a certified technician if you suspect problems.
Look Ahead – Make a point of checking the road ahead for potholes. An alert driver may have time to avoid potholes, so it’s important to stay focused on the road and not any distractions inside or outside the vehicle. Before swerving to avoid a pothole, check surrounding traffic to ensure this will not cause a collision or endanger nearby pedestrians or cyclists.
Slow Down – If a pothole cannot be avoided, reduce speed safely being sure to check the rearview mirror before any abrupt braking. Hitting a pothole at higher speeds greatly increases the chance of damage to tires, wheels and suspension components.
Beware of Puddles – A puddle of water can disguise a deep pothole. Use care when driving through puddles and treat them as though they may be hiding potholes.
Check Alignment – Hitting a pothole can knock a car’s wheels out of alignment and affect the steering. If a vehicle pulls to the left of right, have the wheel alignment checked by a qualified technician.
Recognize Noises/Vibrations – A hard pothole impact can dislodge wheel weights, damage a tire or wheel, and bend or even break suspension components. Any new or unusual noises or vibrations that appear after hitting a pothole should be inspected immediately by a certified technician.
Not sure what that noise is? Let the experts take a look. Call a local AAA Approved Auto Repair facility today. (See page 14 for local listings.)
weather know that during freezing temperatures, a battery may lose as much as a third of its power. However, those in the Sunbelt can stop gloating. Hot weather weakens internal battery components, evaporates critical fluids, and contributes to overcharging. As a result, the average battery life in warmer climates drops to just three and a half years.
The inside story on battery longevity comes down to care and cleaning. As part of routine maintenance, have a technician clean any corrosion from your battery terminals, case, brackets, and replace worn or damaged alternator drive belts that would diminish the system’s ability to recharge the battery.
Even with good weather and good habits on your side, all batteries eventually wear out. However, quite often a battery will signal its impending demise with one or more of these warning signs:
• Does the starter motor crank the engine more slowly than usual?
• Do you hear a grinding, clicking, or buzzing when you turn on the ignition? • Do headlights dim when you are idling but brighten when you rev the engine? If you suspect a problem, have your battery and charging system checked out.
If your suspicion turns into a full-fledged breakdown, call (610) 258-2808. AAA Battery Service will dispatch a certified technician to test your vehicle, pinpoint the problem, and provide a jump-start. If the test indicates that it’s time to replace your battery, you can choose to have a new AAA battery installed, on the spot.
One day, your car may be powered by hydrogen or even compressed air. Until then, understanding your car’s secret battery life will keep you in charge and on the go.
Continued from page 14
TM
5% Insurance Premium Reduction with AAA’s Safe Driving for the Roadwise Driver Course
AAA Northampton County offers a 4-hour refresher course.
In order to qualify for this course, you must be 55 or older and have taken the 8-hour Mature Operators Course (now Roadwise Driver Course) with
AAA Northampton County within the past three years. AAA Northampton County also will be offering the 8-hour Roadwise Driver Course for those who have not taken the Mature Driver Course in the past three years.
The course is free for AAA Northampton County members, $10 for members of another AAA club and $30 for nonmembers. For more information, visit us at 3914 Hecktown Road, Easton, or call (610) 258-2371. Classes are held at AAA Northampton County. Enrollment is limited.
8-HOUR COURSE (over 2 days):
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
April 18 & 25 (Saturdays)
April 21 & 22 (Tuesday & Wednesday) May 5 & 6 (Tuesday & Wednesday)
4-HOUR REFRESHER COURSE:
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
April 14 (Tuesday) May 13 (Wednesday)
CALL (610) 258-2371 OR AAA Northampton County Traffic Safety Dept. SEND REGISTRATION TO: 3914 Hecktown Rd., Easton, PA 18045
Your cancelled check or receipt is your confirmation. You will only be notified if course is full, cancelled or rescheduled.
Please include me/us as participant(s) in the Mature Operators Course scheduled for: ________________________________________________
Name: _____________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ Phone #:_______________________Membership #: _______________________ Email: _____________________________________________________________
SPRING 2015
3914 Hecktown Rd., Easton, PA • (610) 258-2371 • www.aaanc.com
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Now!