MYRTLE BEACH - Frigid weather continues its grip on the Eastern Carolinas, and motorists in both states are reporting more car trouble related to the cold snap.
“We received 45 percent more calls yesterday related to battery trouble compared with the past four Mondays,“ David E. Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas said in a news release from the organization. “ The drop in temperatures and winter conditions makes this a very busy time for road service.“
According to AAA, it is expected that heavy demand for jump-starts will continue for the next several days due to predictions of sub-freezing temperatures overnight and in the morning rush hours.
Batteries require more cranking amps in colder weather, reducing their charge and ability to crank an engine. Cranking is the hardest work a battery does and in 25 degree temperatures or lower, cranking power can be reduced as much as 35%, the release said.
AAA Carolinas, with 1.8 million members, responded to 1226 calls from battery issues yesterday, with the preponderance of calls occurring in the urban areas, such as Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Columbia and Greenville.
“Motorists should have their battery checked when they learn of an incoming onslaught of cold weather,“ said Parsons. “A fully charged battery is the best defense against cold weather and vehicle non-starts.“
AAA recommends the following precautions during periods of extreme cold:
- Take the time to have your battery¹s charge and cold cranking amps checked.
- Check your batteries connections for corrosion. When starting your car in the morning, turn on electricity first and wait 30 seconds for the battery to warm up before starting.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid freezing gas lines.
- Thinner grades of oil are better for colder weather, opt for 5W-30 over 10W-30.
- Check tire pressure every one to two weeks as low temperatures can reduce tire pressure and will limit control on slick roads.
- Never use wiper blades to clear ice or frost as this damages the blades.
- Use a scraper or can de-icer. Make sure all windows are clear for best visibility.
- Never warm up your car in a closed garage, carbon monoxide poisoning is possible. It is also illegal to warm up your car parked on public streets in some counties, when the driver is not in the car.
- Keep an emergency kit in your car. Make sure it includes a mobile phone, car charger, blankets, flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit, drinking water, a small shovel, a sack of sand or cat litter for traction, windshield scraper, battery booster cables, emergency reflectors, and non-perishable snacks.
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