Page 17 - AAA Northampton County - AAA Now! Fall 2013

17 Fall 2013 3914 Hecktown Rd., Easton, PA • (610) 258-2371 •www.aaanc.com
Auto
Services AAANow! TM
1. Keep your battery case and brackets
free of corrosion. If you see cracks or
oozing at the top of your battery case,
replace the battery.
2. Corrosion and deposits interfere
with the flow of electric current. Have
your battery terminals and posts
cleaned regularly by a trained
technician.
3. Inspect brackets. If they are heavily
corroded, replace them or have them
replaced. Also make sure they secure
the battery firmly. Loose brackets
will allow the battery to vibrate,
shortening its life and possibly
damaging other components.
4. Tighten any loose cables.
5. Check the tension and condition
of your fan belt. A loose fan belt can
affect the battery’s ability to recharge.
If a fan belt is frayed or cracked,
replace it or have a professional do so.
6. Get in the habit of turning off
accessories before turning off your
vehicle. Leaving on your radio, car
alarm, wipers, headlights, navigation
device, electronic media players and
inside lights can drain your battery.
7. Keep your battery fully charged
when your car is not in use, especially
if you will not be using your vehicle for
two weeks or more. Invest in a AAA
Battery Tender® to keep your battery
charged.
8. If you live in a climate with frequent
freezes, invest in an engine heater to
reduce the power the battery requires
to start the vehicle. Park the vehicle
indoors, if at all possible. A cold car
reduces the battery power
considerably.
9. Watch and listen for warning signs.
If your headlights dim when you are
idling but brighten when you rev the
engine, it could signal an electrical
system problem. If you hear a grinding
or clicking when you turn the ignition
to the crank position, your battery may
be weak.
10. Even with the best care and
maintenance, batteries do fail – and
that would be the perfect time to
call AAA Battery Service, our mobile
battery replacement service, at
610-258-2808. A Battery Service
technician will perform an expert
test, and if a replacement battery is
indicated we can get you back on the
go as soon as possible. Just ask the
technician to install a new, top-quality
AAA battery right on the spot.
BATTERY CARE & MAINTENANCE
AAA Northampton County 12L005
Consulting our magic snow globe, we can confidently make
this seasonal prediction: thousands of drivers will find
themselves stranded in the dead of winter thanks to a d ad
battery. Understanding what keeps your batte y cranking c n
help you avoid being left out in the cold.
As air cools, the oil in your car thickens. Parts move slower
and it requires more energy for the battery to turn over
and start the engine. A battery loses a third of its power in
freezing weather. If the temperature drops to zero or below,
your battery has only half its power.
To keep your battery operating reliably in any season, have
a trained technician clean battery cables and check that the
charging system is charging at the correct rate. The AAA
network of Approved Auto Repair facilities is an additional
source for requesting a diagnosis of your vehicle’s charging
system.
One way to protect your battery from the cold is to use a block
heater. Pre-warming your engine reduces winter wear and
tear on your battery and starter, and also reduces emissions
and increases fuel economy.
What do you do if your battery has been exposed to very
cold weather? A fully charged battery will not freeze unless
the temperature drops very low. If it does freeze, it destroys
the lead coating and the battery cannot charge. If the sides
of your battery seem to bow out, this is a sign the battery is
frozen. Never try to boost a frozen battery because it may
explode.
Maybe you are a snowbird who winters in the sun and
leaves the car behind. If your battery is allowed to discharge
comple l a few times, you will nd up r lacing your battery
because the lead coatin on the battery’s internal plates will
fail – -- and so will the battery. Use a AAA Battery Tender®
charger to keep the battery charged during periods you are
not driving your vehicle.
No matter what precautions you take, your battery will
probably be reliabl j st 3 to 5 years. An aging battery
increases the odds that you could spend some unscheduled
time in your driveway or parking lot. Here’s some good news
about batteries to make your season a little brighter. If you
do have battery problems, AAA can help. AAA Battery Service
offers free diagnostics – and technicians com o you. They
ca test your charging system and, at your request, install a
quality AAA battery right o the spot.
Your new AAA battery comes with a member discount and
a 72-month limited warranty and free replacements for 36
mon hs, nationwide.
Ev ry b ttery we replace is recycled, so if your New Year’s
resolution includes a little more environmental responsibility,
we’ve got you covered there, too So far, AAA Battery Service
and our collection program, AAA Great B tt ry Roundup®,
ave kept m re than 2 million batteries from contaminating
landfills.
WINTER BATTERY
WORRIES? JUST CHILL.
Valid only for AAA Northampton County members. Offer expires 12/31/2013.
To redeem this coupon, please call 610-258-2808 .
To show our appreciation, you can redeem this coupon and
receive $5 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)
• Free recycling of your old battery
Thank you for choosing AAA $5
off
FREE AIR FOR AAA MEMBERS
As an added convenience for
members, AAA Northampton
County recently installed
an Air Machine at their
headquarters located at
3914 Hecktown Road.
YOUR VEHICLE’S TIRE
PRESSURE
WHY CORRECT AIR PRESSURE MATTERS
Keeping the correct air pressure in your tires helps your tires last longer,
helps your car handle better and safer, and helps you save money on fuel.
CHECK AIR PRESSURE REGULARLY
Most people forget about their tires until something goes wrong. The truth
is, tires lose pressure daily. In cool weather, a tire will typically lose one or
two pounds of air per month. In warm weather, tires lose even more air.
That’s why it’s recommended that you check air pressure every other time
you stop to fill up your gas tank. Keep in mind that many vehicles have
different tire pressures on the front and rear axle. And don’t forget to check
the pressure in your spare tire.
WHAT IS THE CORRECT PRESSURE?
The first place to look for the correct air pressure for your specific tires is
your vehicle owner’s manual. Correct air pressure should also be listed on
the tire placard attached to the vehicl door edge, doorpost, glove box door
or fuel door.
Go. With AAAMobile
The free, fully loaded app for iPhone, iPad and Android phones
AAA.com/mobile
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(iPhone Only)
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AAAMobiApp-4.625x4.625-2.indd 1 6/10/13 6:38 AM
10 easy ways to prolong your battery life
Batteries have an average life of 3 to 5 years. Simple care and maintenance can
keep your battery performing reliably throughout its life.