WILKES-BARRE — Jana Tidwell, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic, on Tuesday said being stuck along the side of the road is inconvenient at any time — but at this time of year, in the extreme cold, it is potentially unsafe for drivers and passengers alike.
“It’s critical to check your car’s battery, tires, fluids, wiper blades and pack a vehicle emergency kit,” Tidwell said. “A little preparation can go a long way.”
With sub-freezing temperatures in the forecast this week, AAA is urging drivers to make sure their cars are ready for teens and single-digits this week — and the remainder of the winter.
Primarily, AAA says, this means ensuring that your vehicle’s battery is in good working condition and that the tires are properly inflated for colder temperatures.
How to prepare your vehicle for the cold
• Battery — Cold weather is tough on your car’s battery. At 5 degrees Fahrenheit, a fully charged battery will deliver about half its rated amp-hour capacity. In cold weather, your engine requires more current from the battery to start. So, if you combine less power output with more power requirement in a marginal battery, you get a vehicle that may not start.
• Tires — When the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, your tire air pressure will drop 1 psi for every 10-degree drop in temperature, meaning you’ll likely have to add air to your car’s tires as the weather gets colder. The proper tire pressure for your car can be found on the placard on your driver’s-side car door — not the number listed on the tire sidewall, which is the maximum pressure your tires can withstand. The number listed on the doorjamb is the pressure that engineers have calculated is optimal for your vehicle.
• Fluids — To function properly in cold weather, antifreeze should be at a 50/50 ratio with water. You can check the antifreeze mix at the overflow reservoir bottle with an inexpensive tool called a battery hydrometer. Winter weather and salt on the roads mean you will be using plenty of washer fluid this winter to clean off your windshield. Make sure the window washer fluid is full and at the proper strength so that it will not freeze.
• Wiper blades — Wiper blades have a determined life span — when they are newer, they are great, but when they are worn, they can become dangerous by not affording the proper visibility. We do not recommend using your wipers as substitute ice scrapers to remove thin layers of frost and ice. Along with cold weather and sunshine, using wipers to clear away frost and ice can damage the rubber on the wiper blades. Wiper blades should be checked during every oil change and inspection. Plan on replacing them at least once a year — or more often if you use them as ice scrapers.
• Emergency road kit — Keep an emergency road kit in your vehicle in case of emergencies. Your kit should include jumper cables, flashlight and batteries, flares or reflective triangles, warm blanket, ice scraper, collapsible snow shovel, de-icer spray, windshield wiper fluid, rock salt or kitty litter, first-aid kit, drinking water and non-perishable snacks, and external battery source for cell phones.
• No need to warm — If your car is a 2007 or newer model, you DO NOT need to warm it up before driving. It takes only about 30 seconds for the engine to be lubricated properly. In fact, actually driving your car is the best thing to do. Leaving your vehicle running in the driveway for an extended period of time wastes gas.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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