Page 4 - AAA Magazine – AAA Ohio Auto Club – January 2019

Is Your Car Winter-Ready?
Ohio AAA’s roadside assistance calls skyrocket during winter, as cold and snow lead to spinouts and breakdowns.
Motorists can help prevent winter breakdowns and crashes by simply taking care of their cars, but AAA finds 62 percent of cars are behind schedule for routine maintenance services. This can lead to breakdowns and costly repairs.
The following simple winter car care checklist can help save Ohioans time and money this winter.
Winter Car Care Checklist:
Battery: Starting an engine in cold weather requires a fully charged battery in good condition, yet two-thirds of drivers never check their battery before it dies, according to AAA research. Have a technician test the battery for charge and corrosion before winter hits hardest.
Tires: The cold can decrease tire pressure and make tires susceptible to going flat. Proper tire pressure levels can be found on a sticker located on the driver’s side door jamb. Tire treads help grip winter roads. Check for low tread depth and uneven wear.
Lights: With shorter daylight hours during the winter, motorists do more driving in the dark. Burnt out headlights, emergency flashers, turn signals, brake lights or backup lights are significant safety concerns. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.
Wiper Blades: Blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Replace blades that leave streaks or miss spots. Winter wiper blades, which wrap the wipers in a rubber boot, can help prevent ice and snow buildup.
Fluids: Make sure the oil, power steering, brake and coolant fluids are at recommended levels. Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a cleaning solution that has antifreeze components for cold-weather use.
Brakes: Brake components that are badly worn, or a brake system in need of hydraulic fluid, can make it difficult to stop on slick winter roads. Have a certified technician ensure all components are in good working order.
Emergency Kit: Just in case, keep the car stocked with jumper cables, a mobile phone charger, blankets, a flashlight with extra batteries, an ice scraper, reflectors, a shovel, a bag of abrasive material (kitty litter, salt or sand), a first-aid kit, water and nonperishable food.
Getting Emergency Road Service
AAA is the largest roadside assistance provider in North America, providing members with world-class service, 24/7. This assistance is provided through an extensive network of club-owned fleets and independent service providers.
AAA’s trained technicians make every attempt to get members back on the road before resorting to a tow.
It is important to remember that a AAA membership follows the member, not a specific vehicle, like other roadside assistance plans. That means that a AAA member can call for assistance no matter what vehicle they are driving or riding in.
Call: 800-AAA-HELP (800-222-4357)
Click: AAA.com to request service online Download the AAA Mobile app from Google Play Store or iTunes, and register today to have all of your AAA benefits at your fingertips. You can track when help will arrive by using AAA’s Service Tracker. You can even watch the service vehicle move on your phone’s screen. You also can use the app for driving directions and current traffic conditions, so you can avoid major delays. Visit AAA.com/mobile to learn more.
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Check Out AAA Battery Service
Since 1997, AAA’s Mobile Battery Service has been meeting the needs of today’s busy members by providing battery testing and an on-the-spot battery replacement if necessary. Testing and replacement is done at the point of breakdown, at home, work or other convenient location of the member’s choice. A three-year free replacement warranty and exclusive AAA member pricing have made this service a popular roadside solution. This service also is green,” resulting in more than 7 million used batteries being returned to battery recycling centers.