Page 22 - AAA Magazine – AAA Ohio Auto Club – November 2019

Pre-Winter Tire Sale
Get Ready for Winter Weather Ahead
If your tires are wearing low on tread, stay safe on the road this winter with a member-exclusive deal on new tires from AAA Car Care Plus.
During November and December, buy three Michelin, BFGoodrich or Uniroyal tires and get the fourth tire free at all AAA Car Care Plus facilities in the Columbus area.
You can check models and pricing by accessing our online tire quoter at AAA.com/Tires.
For complete details on the sale, including installation, disposal and state tire fees, visit AAA.com/CarCarePlus or call any AAA Car Care Plus location.
Prep Tips to Ready Your Vehicle for Winter
Winter offers a variety of challenges for vehicle owners, from trying to drive safely during nasty weather to dealing with cold-related mechanical issues. By taking some time and following the tips below to prepare your car early in the season, you can help avoid some of the stress and inconvenience winter can bring.
Are you due for an oil change? If it’s nearing time for your car to get an oil change, you might want to schedule it soon and have the shop go over the other checks in this list.
Pay attention to your tires. Inspect your tires for damage and wear. If you find low tread depth or other issues, get them replaced before cold weather sets in. You’ll need excellent traction to handle wet and icy roads safely.
Be aware that air pressure in your tires will drop as temperatures turn cooler and the gas within them compresses. Check them regularly during fall and fill as needed. On most cars, you’ll find the recommended air pressure on a sticker located inside the driver’s side door.
Consider the condition of your wiper blades. Rain and snow impact visibility, so be sure your wiper blades are in proper condition to provide a clear view of the road ahead. Replace them if the rubber has hardened or the edges are worn. Don’t forget the wiper on the back windshield, if you have one.
Switch to “winter” windshield wiper fluid. Ordinary wiper fluid can be problematic in the winter, freezing in the nozzle and upon contact with the windshield. Winter-rated fluid avoids those problems and helps melt the ice and snow from your windshield.
Check your antifreeze. If you do this yourself, make sure the car is completely cool first. The antifreeze
level should be to the “full” line. A simple antifreeze tester can show whether the antifreeze mixture is still providing adequate protection for the climate you live in. If you see discolored fluid or debris, take the vehicle in for a complete coolant flush.
Make sure your battery is up to the winter weather.
Car batteries can be subject to failure after reaching 3 years of age, so if yours is 3 years or older, have it tested before the weather gets colder. Plus, clean all the battery contacts to get rid of build-up.
If you have a car, motorcycle, ATV or another type of vehicle that you won’t be operating during the winter months, using a trickle charger device can extend the life of the vehicle’s battery and help ensure a smooth start-up in spring. Lead-acid batteries experience a natural self-discharge when not in use and trickle chargers combat that by keeping the battery fully charged at all times.
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AAA Car Care Plus and Approved Auto Repair facilities offer AAA members a variety of benefits for their vehicle service needs. Visit AAA.com/Repair to find a list of AAA-approved repair facilities near you.
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