AAA Reminds Drivers to Prepare Vehicles for Freezing Temperatures

Thursday, December 19, 2019

GoLocalWorcester News Team

With temperatures expected to drop into the teens over the next three nights, AAA Northeast is reminding drivers to make sure their vehicles are ready for the winter.

“Preventive maintenance is essential for safe driving and greatly decreases the chances of being stranded in the cold,” said John Paul, the AAA Northeast Car Doctor.

AAA gives the following tips:

Start with the battery and charging system. Have them tested if the vehicle’s battery is more than three years old. Your vehicle will need a fully charged battery to start up during a cold snap. Even a good battery can lose up to 50 percent of its capacity when the temperatures drop to zero. At 32 degrees it can take up to 35 percent more power to start a cold engine. If your vehicle started with a jump start you have only fixed the symptom but not the problem. A well-maintained vehicle should start in nearly any weather condition.

Don’t forget engine oil and coolant. The proper weight and grade of engine oil will help with cold-weather starting. And as a general rule, engine coolant should protect an engine to minus 30 degrees to prevent engine damage.