AAA's Car Winterizing tips
Is Your Car Ready for the Big Chill?
Ensure your ride is ready to brave the winter season by following our automotive check list and tips:
1. Give your battery a check-up. Now is the perfect time to ensure your battery’s terminals and connections are tight and free of corrosion (the white or blue build up). Making sure your battery is winter-ready will prevent you from being stranded in the cold! Call AAA’s Mobile Battery Service to get your battery checked out – we’ll even come to you to test it and replace it, if needed.
2. Time for an oil change. Older oil gets thick and sluggish in cold weather. If it’s too thick, it won’t keep your engine properly lubricated. Check your owner’s manual to see how often you should change your oil, and which oil is best for your car.
3. Check your tires. Check the pressure on all tires, including the spare – you’ll find the recommended pressure on the driver’s door jamb. Also, make sure your treads aren’t worn down with the penny test. Insert a penny into the groove of the tire with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tires treads are too low and should be replaced. You may also want to consider switching to snow tires.
4. Change to winter wipers. Windshield wipers usually only last about a year. Over time, they crack, split and just don’t work as efficiently. Since visibility is the most important part of safe driving, invest in new wipers before you’re caught in a storm. Wiper blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Also, make sure the windshield washer reservoir is filled.
AAA members enjoy protection and peace of mind on the road during the harsh winter months, and all year-round, with AAA’s trusted roadside assistance. Call 800-AAA-HELP or request roadside assistance through the AAA Mobile App.