Page 18 - AAA Magazine – AAA Ohio Auto Club – September 2019

Prep Your Car for Winter During Car Care Month
October is Car Care Month – an ideal time for car owners to perform a vehicle checkup to help stay safe on the road and avoid issues when winter weather arrives.
Whether you are a DIY type
or prefer to take your car to a
trusted service facility, make a note to prepare your vehicle for winter driving and identify items that might require further maintenance. Be sure to check the following:
Brakes – Decreased stopping power and noises or vibrations when applying the brakes are all indications that you need to have brakes inspected by a certified technician.
Battery – Many people are unaware that heat during the summer can weaken a battery to the point that it fails during cold winter weather. It’s a good idea, especially if your battery is a few years old, to have the battery and charging system tested by a trained technician. AAA members can request a visit from a AAA Mobile Battery Service technician who will test their battery and replace it on-site, if necessary. AAA Approved Auto Repair shops can also check and replace weak batteries.
Tire Tread and Pressure – Replace any tire that has less than 3/32-inches of tread. Uneven tire wear can indicate alignment, wheel balance or suspension problems that must be addressed to prevent further tire damage. Test tire pressure frequently in the fall – as temperatures drop, so does tire pressures. Keep tires inflated to the PSI indicated by the manufacturer’s sticker on the driver’s side door jamb.
Fluids and Lights – Top off any fluids that are low and make sure all your vehicle’s lights are working.
Wiper Blades – The blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Replace any blade that leaves streaks or misses spots.
If your car needs professional attention, you can identify reliable, high-quality repair shops with certified technicians by looking for the AAA Approved Auto Repair sign. These facilities must meet and maintain high professional standards for customer service, technician training, tools, equipment, warranties and cleanliness. Locate nearby shops at AAA.com/repair.
Girls’ Night at the Garage is Back!
AAA Car Care Plus is once again hosting its popular Girls’ Night at the Garage events during October in celebration of Car Care Month.
These
free, evening
sessions are
designed
to educate
women about
the basics of
caring for their
cars. Participants will get an overview of essential vehicle maintenance items, plus learn how to check oil levels, tire pressure and
more with hands-on time in the garage. Our experienced technicians will be happy to answer vehicle-related questions during the session.
Each of AAA’s nine Car Care Plus locations will host an event which will include food, giveaways and prizes. Interested members are advised to sign up early as class sizes are limited. To register or learn more, visit AAA.com/girlsnight.
The events will take place:
Oct. 1.......... Powell
Oct. 3......... Gahanna
Oct. 8......... Polaris
Oct. 10 ....... Dublin
Oct. 15 ....... Whitehall Oct. 17........ Grandview Oct. 22 ...... Reynoldsburg Oct. 24 ...... Bethel
Oct. 29 ...... Sobeck
Here are a few comments from past Girls’ Night attendees:
“This event was very enlightening and empowers women to have the confidence to know and be able to discuss their car maintenance issues with others in the
car care industry.”
“Technicians were very knowledgeable and patient.”
“The hands-on experience truly helped tie the information together.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would attend it again and highly recommend it to every woman.”
16 | AAA MAGAZINE
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Photo: iStock/ Jeff Seslar