Page 12 - AAA Now! – AAA Northampton County – Winter 2021

AAA
TM
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
HOW WINTER’S FREEZING TEMPERATURES
CAN AFFECT YOUR CAR
Your engine runs the least efficiently during the first 20 minutes or so after a cold start-up, before it warms up to its normal operating temperature. During this time, it runs rich (high gasoline-to-air ratio) to prevent stalling, while this is happening water vapor builds up in the motor oil and the exhaust system. Overall fuel consumption will be higher in winter than summer due to this issue with cold weather idling.
With repeated short trips in cold weather, the vehicle may never warm sufficiently to burn off accumulated water vapor and you may notice a white sludge on your dipstick or in the oil cap. Also, you may develop rust in your exhaust system, causing it to need replacement prematurely.
Have your vehicle checked before it gets cold, the oil changed, and all-important fluids and tires checked for their condition, if needed have them changed or replaced. Your local AAA Approved Auto Repair facility can help you
with all these needs. Find them listed at AAA.com/automotive/autorepair or email bwolfinger@aaanc.com.
Freezing temperatures affect cars negatively in many ways. Consider some of the following:
Windshield glass will be more vulnerable to chipping and breakages. Never use hot water to clear a frosted windshield, as it can cause the glass
to crack. Alcohol sprays, such as Prestone Heat, Frost Buster, or ordinary de-icer sprays are safer and quicker to reduce frost or ice. Also, blasting mega-hot defroster air on the windshield can cause damage.
Your engine block will be more vulnerable
to cracking due to frozen coolant. Freeze-up protection can be checked with an inexpensive float-ball anti-freeze tester. Use the correct anti-freeze type and mix when topping up. Don’t add plain water alone, as it will dilute the current radiator mixture and lessen freeze-up protection. Don’t mix regular (green 2-year) antifreeze with long life (yellow or reddish, five year) coolant, since it reverts to the shorter lifespan when mixed with the green. The only exception would be is if the bottle of green is marked compatible with any antifreeze.
The rubber compound in all-season tires hardens when temps drop below 47F, causing them to have less effective gripping ability, whereas
winter snow tires stay soft and stick to the road in sub-zero temperatures. Also, snow tires have tread that is better designed to remove snow and slush from their grooves, unlike all-season tire tread which is a compromise at best for traction in snow.
Road salt loses its grip. According to the Federal Dept. of Transportation, road salt loses efficiency below -7F and is almost totally ineffective below -10F, so always drive with extra care in severe cold.
Motor oil thickens when it is cold, making it harder for the engine to turn over on the first start of the day. This is further exacerbated by the fact battery output drops by about half at 64F. It also declines gradually with age, so an older battery that is fine in warm weather might fail in the cold. Thinner oil grades, an engine block heater, or battery charger may aid cold weather starting.
Older vehicles didn’t provide cabin heat until the engine had warmed up enough to open the cooling system thermostat, which often took 20 minutes or more to happen. Today’s vehicles have various ways of creating heat for the interior almost immediately, but this will delay the engine warming up to the proper temperature and cost you some fuel.
$10 OFF
To show our appreciation, you can redeem this coupon and receive $10 off a AAA Battery. That’s right! AAA now offers a Battery Service Program which features the following benefits:
• Free, expert battery testing
• Quick battery installation, at your request • A high-quality AAA battery at a
members-only discount
• An unmatched 72-month limited warranty
(including 36 months free nationwide replacement against manufacturer's defects)
• Free recycling of your old battery
Valid only for AAA Northampton County members. Offer expires 2/28/2021. To redeem this coupon, please call 610-258-2808.
Thank you
for choosing AAA
SAVE ON QUALITY MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TODAY
SAVE 10%
ON LABOR (UP TO $50)
Restrictions apply1. See below.
SWIPE YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD
AND SAVE!
Cannot be combined with any other discount or coupon.
AAA MEMBER BENEFITS:
• 24-month/24,000-mile repair guarantee
by the facility2
• Free 40-point AAA vehicle maintenance
inspection3 (with any paid service), an $80 value
• Worry-free repairs at AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities
AAA NORTHAMPTON COUNTY AREA
AAA APPROVED AUTO REPAIR FACILITIES.
Alex’s Tire Center, Inc.
102 Commerce Way, Stockertown
(610) 759-8473
A.R.M. Automotive
911 Lower South Main St., Bangor
(610) 588-2761
Easton Auto Body H 1328 Elm St., Easton (610) 252-6502
Jeff’s Automotive Service
4110 Wm. Penn Hwy., Easton
(610) 253-6565
Midas Auto Svc. Experts
2914 Wm. Penn Hwy., Easton
(610) 253-9070
Midas Auto Svc. Experts
933 S. Broadway, Wind Gap
(610) 863-7777
Murante Auto Repair
128 W. Beil Ave., Nazareth
(610) 759-6121
T&D Automotive
1400 S. 25th St., Easton
(610) 253-0212
The Brake Shop & Auto Repair
3601 Sullivan Trail, Easton
(610) 253-2566 Wrenchtec
20 E. Lawn Road, Nazareth
(610) 759-7581
Young VW Mazda H Rte. 33 & Hecktown Rd., Easton
(610) 991-9100
1. Members save 10% (up to $50) on labor at AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities, if discount is requested. Valid AAA membership card must be presented at the facility at time of service. 2. All repairs are guaranteed by the facility for 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever occurs first, under normal operating conditions, unless otherwise stated in writing. Other restrictions may apply. See facility for details. 3. Available with paid service, upon request.
Free inspection is limited to items identified on the AAA Vehicle Maintenance Inspection form only. Cost of any repairs not included. Most passenger cars and light trucks are eligible. An appointment may be required. Contact the facility in advance for details. Valid AAA membership Card must be presented to the AAA Approved Auto Repair facility at the time of service. Other restrictions may apply. All rights reserved.
H indicates BOTH Approved Auto Repair and Approved Auto Body facility.
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Text APP188 to 88202 to download the AAA app or use your preferred App store
WINTER 2021
Now!
VISIT TODAY!