Page 14 - AAA Northampton County - AAA Now! Summer 2013

Contractor Spotlight
Summer 2013 14 3914 Hecktown Rd., Easton, PA • (610) 258-2371 •www.aaanc.com
Auto
Services
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 dead
battery. Understanding what keeps your battery cranking can
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
completely a few times, you will end up replacing your battery
because the lead coating 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 reliable just 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 come to you. They
can test your charging system and, at your request, install a
quality AAA battery right on the spot.
Your new AAA battery comes with a member discount and
a 72-month limited warranty and free replacements for 36
months, nationwide.
Every battery 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 Battery Roundup®,
have kept more than 2 million batteries from contaminating
landfills.
WINTER BATTERY
WORRIES? JUST CHILL.
Valid only for AAA Northampton County members. Offer expires 8/31/2013.
To redeem this coupon, please call 610-258-2808.
AAANow! TM
In August of 2010, AAA Northampton County
put its first Battery/Light Duty Service van on
the road. The original van was staffed with two
full-time Roadside Problem Solver Technicians
that were scheduled to provide service for
AAA members experiencing light mechanical
breakdowns. The goal with AAA Northampton
County’s Battery/Light Duty Service program is
to “Get AAA Members on the Go.”
The programwas so successful that in November
2010 a second Battery/Light Duty Service van
was put into operation and a part-time Roadside
Problem Solver Technician was hired so that
AAA Northampton County could keep up with
increasing call volume and continue to provide
excellent customer service to our members and
con inue to“Get AAA Members on the Go.”
Our Battery/Light Duty Service vans are staffed
with experienced Roadside Problem Solver
Technicians who are required to attend specific
training programs that assist them in performing
complimentary Full Member Tests relating to
vehicle battery breakdown and diagnostic
problem detection. Our technicians can replace
vehicle batteries a the point of breakdown (we
deliver and install on the spot). They’re also trained
in light mechanical automotive diagnostics,
defensive/safe driving techniqu s, and r ceive
customer service training so our members receive
a “Totally Satisfied” experience.
Every staffmember in our Emergency Road Service
department, fromour friendly, knowledgeable call
takers to our Roadside Pr blem Solver Technicians
look forward to getting Northamp on County
membe s“On the Go.”
**AAA Northampton County was ranked #1 in member
satisfaction among all AAA Clubs throughout North American
and Canada for eight (8) months, five (5) of which were
consecutive.
AAA Northampton County
Light Duty Service Fleet
With so many handy resources for travelers –
from websites and apps to printed guidebooks –
why do members request AAA TourBook guides by
the million, year after year?
They’re Free, Easy and Packed with
Great Information
That’s a tough deal to beat! AAA’s annually
updated TourBook guides are free for the asking as
part of your membership. And now, with a trimmer
size that’s convenient to carry and new content
features that streamline trip planning, the guides
are easier than ever to use.
Kick back and pore through the fascinating
destination overviews, followed by pages of hotel,
restaurant and attraction listings. And get a fix on the
big picture with history and visitor information and
references like the Annual Events, GEM Attraction
Index and Points of Interest Index.
Or, when time is short, leave the legwork to AAA’s
travel experts. Turn directly to trip planning shortcuts
like the Must Do: AAA Editor’s Picks, 1-Day Itineraries
and Top Picks for Kids, available for many destination
cities. Whichever method you prefer, we’ll help you
make the most of your trip with inspiring photos
and informative content you can trust.
They’re Loaded with Orientation and
Road Maps to Get You Situated
Save yourself the effort of checking multiple
resources to get the lay of the land or find your way.
Use the hotel, restaurant and attraction location
maps throughout the guides for a bird’s-eye view of
the places you plan to stay, dine and play in relation
to landmarks and one another. Plus, to help you
navigate the roadways we’ve added overview and
detail maps from the AAA Road Atlas series for easy
route planning – all in one guide.
Go Now!
Before your next trip, visit the AAA Northampton
County office or visit us on AAA.com for copies of
the 2013 edition TourBook guides – available free,
exclusively for members. Plan to enjoy your easiest,
most rewarding travel planning experience yet.
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
Read, Plan, Go!
By Vicki Bechtel