Page 18 - AAA Northampton County – AAA Now! – Winter 2019

AAA
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AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
ICE AND SNOW ARE ON THE WAY!
AAA Approved Auto Repair Facilities Can Make Sure Your Car Is Ready to Travel Through It.
Inclement weather can pose challenges for even the most experienced driver. Because more crashes involving property damage occur during the winter months than at any others, AAA encourages motorists to prepare for adverse cold weather driving conditions with these steps. Prepare your vehicle and be cautious while on the road.
Prepare Your Vehicle
First, make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter driving. AAA offers the following tips for motorists departing on winter road trips:
• Have the battery and charging system tested.
A fully charged battery in good condition is
required to start an engine in cold weather.
• Have the brakes checked to ensure they work
properly and apply smoothly, which helps prevent
the wheels from locking on slick surfaces.
• Make sure the tires are properly inflated.
Under-inflated tires can be dangerous, and may suffer damage. Remember, the air pressure in your tires will decrease 1-2 psi for every 10- degree
drop in outside temperature. Consider changing the air in your tires for nitrogen, which has larger molecules and leaks out much slower. Many service centers do this type of service for a nominal charge. Remember to do your spare tire as well.
• Use the tire size recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer for best snow traction. Overly wide tires tend to float on top of the snow, reducing grip.
• Make sure the engine coolant provides anti- freeze protection down to the lowest temperatures you are likely to encounter; -30oF/-34oC is a
good guideline.
• Visibility is critical in adverse weather conditions, so replace worn windshield wipers that streak, and be sure the washer reservoir is filled with a winter solvent that will not freeze.
• Keep the fuel tank at least half full at all times to minimize condensation buildup that can lead to
fuel line freeze-up. It may be a good idea to add fuel system drier containing alcohol to the gas in the tank in order to absorb moisture. If you drive a diesel vehicle, make sure the fuel you buy is winterized so it doesn’t get jelled up when it is extremely cold.
• Carry a winter driving kit for emergency use that includes a bag of some sort of abrasive material (sand, salt or cat litter), a small snow shovel, snow brush, traction mats, a flashlight with new batteries and
a spare set of batteries, washer solvent, ice scraper, jumper cables, a blanket, a disposable lighter, flares, drinking water, extra clothes, and some energy bars.
• Program your radio for AM 530 or 1610 stations, as you may see signs referencing those frequencies for important traffic advisories.
Drive with Caution
When taking to the roads during winter weather, remember to drive with caution to
• Carry a cellular phone and car charger. Program
the phone with important numbers,CinAUcSlAu-dNHinA-g18aNOV-05_Winthere_lApd_mPRaIiNnT.tapdinf yo1ur s11a/f8e/t1y8 as9w:2e9llAaMs that of
reliable roadside service provider that will be able to assist you during inclement weather if you have signed up in advance, such as AAA emergency road service (800-AAA-HELP or your local AAA club number).
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Text APP188 to 88202 to download the AAA app or use your preferred App store
WINTER 2019
Now!