Charge!! - Cold weather is tough on batteries. At zero degrees, a car’s battery loses about 60 percent of its strength. At a comparatively mild 32 degrees, a battery is 35 percent weaker. Keeping battery terminals clean helps, but a load test performed by a qualified technician will help determine whether a car’s battery is strong enough for winter starts.

Get a Grip - Before winter arrives, make sure your car is equipped with tires that are able to handle New England’s winter weather. For most motorists, all-season tires are adequate. In more northern or mountainous regions, replacing your tires with four snow tires will help give your vehicle traction for slippery and snowy road conditions.

See and Be Seen - Danger must be seen to be avoided. Driving with a snow-covered windshield, windows, side-view mirrors or lights invites a crash. Clear windows, mirrors and lights with an ice scraper, brush or spray de-icer. Make certain windshield wipers and defrosters are in good working order and that washer reservoirs are filled with no-freeze windshield washer fluid.

Slippery When Wet - In temperatures at or just above 32 degrees, a thin layer of water can cover the ice, causing extremely slippery conditions. The distance needed to stop on ice at 32 degrees is twice as long as at zero degrees.

Keep Your Engine Cool - Make certain cooling system antifreeze is mixed with an equal portion of water for maximum protection.

Fast Solution - A squirt of de-icer spray is a quick method to overcome frozen door locks.

Air It Out - Don’t let frigid temperatures tempt you into starting your car in a closed garage or idling your engine for long periods with the windows closed. Carbon monoxide, present in exhaust fumes, is almost impossible to detect and can be fatal when breathed in a confined area.

Finish Up - Road salt, slush and grime are especially hard on a car’s finish. To help prevent rust and paint damage, keep cars washed and waxed. A full or self-service car wash makes the job easier when temperatures are low.

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Top Repair Facilities Needed For Tough Winter Auto Repair Jobs

Winter weather can cause difficult-to-diagnose automotive problems that require the services of top auto repair facilities, according to AAA Southern New England.

"Cold weather can be tough on a vehicle’s electrical system," said John Paul, AAA’s Car Doctor. "It’s important to find a repair facility with the capability to properly service the wide range of advanced technologies on today’s high-tech vehicles."

AAA offers this advice for choosing the best auto repair shop:

• Look for AAA approved repair shops. These shops display a sign that says "AAA Approved Auto Repair." To be AAA approved, repair shops must meet tough standards for personnel, customer service, equipment and scope of service. Technicians must be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

• Decide what kind of shop can best handle the work. You may not necessarily go to the same place for all repairs. For example, one shop may specialize in exhaust systems, while another may be excellent at finding an obscure electrical problem. If your car is under warranty, you will probably need to get it fixed at the dealer.

• Ask friends, family members, and other for recommendations of technicians they trust.

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AAA Offers Winter Advice For Parents of Young Drivers

Winter driving can be challenging to any motorist, but slippery roads can be especially difficult for novice drivers dealing with ice and snow for the first time, according to AAA Southern New England.

"Parents need to work with their teens to help them gain the experience they need for safe winter driving in the safest possible environment," said John Paul, AAA Manager of Traffic Safety and Public Affairs.

AAA offers the following tips to help parents teach their teens to drive in winter conditions:

• Under close supervision, let your teen practice slow speed maneuvers on a wide open snow- or ice-covered parking lot. Have him or her practice hard braking and steering in skidding conditions.

• A novice driver’s first on-the-road experience with winter-weather driving should not occur during a major snow storm. Wait until conditions are less severe.

• Consider limiting your teen’s driving on slippery conditions to daylight hours until they have gained experience.

• Remind your teen that driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is dangerous under any conditions, and that the risk is even greater on slippery roads.

• Make sure the vehicle your teen is driving is equipped with essential emergency equipment, including a flashlight, blankets, jumper cables, sand or non-clumping cat litter and a small shovel or ice scraper.

• SUV's can lead to over confidence on the roads. All vehicles should be driven caustiously in poor weather conditions.

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AAA Recommends Emergency Equipment Kit

Because even the best maintained vehicles can fall victim to frigid winter weather, AAA recommends every vehicle carry the following items to ensure safe winter travel:

Flashlight - A working flashlight should be stored where the driver can access it without leaving the vehicle. That will enable the motorist to see obstacles and be seen by other drivers when exiting the vehicle in an emergency. Also carry spare batteries.

Jumper Cables - Jumper cables can be an essential tool for starting vehicles with weak or dead batteries, but they should only be used by individuals familiar with the proper safety precautions. Vehicle owner’s manuals should be consulted for instructions.

Abrasive Material - Sand or non-clumping cat litter can be spread under the wheels to improve traction when a vehicle becomes stuck in snow or ice. Special traction mats and even floor mats also can be used for this purpose.

Shovel - A small shovel can be used to carefully dig snow away from the wheels.

Warning Devices - Flares or reflective triangles alert other motorists that you are broken down or stuck and helps give them enough time to slow down in order to pass safely. Safety Tip: When using flares/reflectors place them at least 100 feet from the rear of the car.

Safety Tip - Flares or reflective triangles alert other motorists that you are broken down or stuck and helps give them enough time to slow down in order to pass safely

Blankets - Cold weather can quickly turn an inconvenient breakdown into a life-threatening situation. Blankets can provide valuable protection against the cold and can help keep you comfortable until help arrives. Floor mats and newspapers can also be used to provide insulation in emergencies.

Snow Brush/Ice Scraper - It’s important that windows and lights are clear of ice and snow in order to maintain adequate visibility. The entire vehicle should be brushed clear so blowing snow does not become a hazard for other motorists. Tip: If you drive an SUV or van along handle brush will make quick work of clearing snow from the roof.

Cellular Phone - A cellular telephone comes in handy when a motorist needs assistance in the event of a vehicle breakdown.

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Plan Ahead To Avoid Frustrating Travel This Holiday Season

To make the most of this holiday season, AAA Southern New England suggests planning ahead to avoid common holiday travel pitfalls.

"When you take a holiday, add the threat of bad weather and throw in 25 to 30 million motorists, you get a recipe for frustration," said Lloyd Albert, AAA Senior Vice President Public/Government Affairs and New Business Development. "With some advance planning, the season can be much more enjoyable."

AAA offers these tips for safe and happy holiday auto travel:

• Leave early, stay late. If possible, leave a day earlier than normal and return a day early or a day late. You can avoid wasting time in traffic and enjoy more time with family and friends.

• Plan ahead. Know your route and have an alternate plan in case of heavy traffic. Also make sure your vehicle is in top condition and carry a vehicle safety kit.

• Take your time. The current land speed record is 763 miles-per-hour. Don’t try to break it on the way to grandmas. It’s better to plan extra time and arrive safely.

• Take a 15- to 20-minute break every few hours. Stop at a safe rest area and stretch your legs. Also, drink plenty of fluids.

• Bring activities. Children’s attention spans are shorter than adults, so they quickly lose interest when traveling. Pack some special snacks and favorite toys to keep them busy. Try a recorded story or sing-along tape.

• Don’t eat and run. After the third helping, take a walk to get the blood flowing again. Better yet, take a long nap in your in-law’s recliner.

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Strong Battery Boosts Winter Car Starts

One of the best ways to protect against winter car trouble is to be certain your battery is fully charged and in proper working condition, according to AAA Southern New England.

"When the temperature drops to near zero, the number of calls AAA receives from stranded motorists soars," said AAA Approved Auto Repair Manager John Ward. "The most common cause of these cold-weather breakdowns is a weak or dead battery."

AAA recommends motorists have a load test to closely monitor the condition of the vehicle’s battery, especially batteries more than two years old. "Although batteries can carry warranties of four years or more, a warranty is no guarantee an older battery will continue to work in severe weather," Mr. Ruggiero said.

The most common sign of a weak battery is an unusual sound coming from the starter motor when the ignition key is turned, indicating difficulty in starting the engine.

If the vehicle is difficult to start, check that the battery connections are tight and no corrosion is present on the battery terminal. To remove corrosion, use an old toothbrush to clean the cable connectors and terminals with a solution of baking soda and water. Next, inspect the tension of all drive belts. They should flex no more than one-half inch. If the battery’s fluid level can be checked, make certain the fluid covers the battery plates. If no problems are found and the vehicle is still difficult to start, drive to a service station or auto parts store to have the battery and charging system tested and, if necessary, replaced.

In addition to weak or dead batteries, starting problems can be caused by malfunctioning alternators or starter motors. A qualified repair facility can make an accurate diagnosis and repair.

If the vehicle will not start, use caution and follow instructions in the owner’s manual when attempting a jump start. If unsure about the proper procedure, call AAA or another qualified professional for assistance.

To help avoid winter breakdowns, AAA recommends motorists have their cars and trucks thoroughly inspected before cold weather arrives. In addition to the battery, fluids, belts, hoses, filters and tires should all be checked.

Because of the difficult driving conditions often encountered in the winter, motorists should also be sure their lighting systems, brakes and windshield wipers are functioning properly.

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Different Vehicles Require Different Winter Driving Habits

Motorists should be aware that different types of vehicles have particular operating characteristics that change the way they handle on icy or snow-covered roads, according to AAA Southern New England.

"Knowing the different winter-weather capabilities of a vehicle can mean the difference between a safe trip and serious trouble," said John Paul, AAA’s Car Doctor. "Motorists should carefully read their owner’s manual for information on their vehicle’s equipment and handling characteristics."

Front-wheel-drive vehicles generally handle better than rear-wheel-drive vehicles on slippery roads because the weight of the engine is on the drive wheels, which improves traction. The back end of rear-wheel-drive cars tends to slide from side-to-side during turns on icy roads.

While many motorists are now driving sport-utility vehicles and light trucks that can be excellent for driving in difficult conditions, AAA warns drivers not to become over-confident.

"Four wheel drive pickup trucks and SUVs, as well as, all-wheel-drive sedans and wagons to get moving on snow-covered roads, but they don’t stop any quicker than other vehicles," Mr. Paul said. "Drivers still need to slow down and keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of them."

Drivers of pickup trucks with rear-wheel-drive need to be especially cautious on slick roads because these vehicles have very little weight over the wheels that are propelling the vehicle and are prone to rear-wheel skids on slippery roads.

A vehicle’s braking system also determines how motorists should operate in winter weather. Anti-lock brake systems (ABS) can provide a significant stopping advantage on slick roads, but are only effective if properly used. When stopping a vehicle with anti-lock brakes in slippery conditions, motorists should apply steady pressure to the brake pedal. The ABS will automatically pump the brakes to keep the wheels from locking and the vehicle from skidding.

Drivers of cars without ABS should gently apply pumping pressure to the brakes on slippery conditions to avoid wheel lock-up.

Additionally, many new cars feature traction control, which prevents wheel spin during acceleration. This is very helpful when initially trying to get moving on slippery roads.

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Slick Facts About Oil

It’s time to change the oil on your trusty car and you decide to do it yourself.

You find yourself at the auto parts store staring at the assortment of oil on the shelves, trying to decide which one to buy and trying to decipher all the numbers and letters on the containers.

Cracking the oil code requires some basic understanding of what your vehicle requires. In every owner’s manual there is a chart with a recommendation of oil type for that car.

The right engine oil is important to cold weather starts, says AAA. Oil can become thick and gluey when cold and can make it difficult for engine parts to move. Some oil grades are thinner than others, and thinner is better for winter weather.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) rates oil for its viscosity in both cold and hot conditions. The first number, usually a 5W or 10W, is an indication of how thin the oil stays when cold. The second number is an indication of how thick it stays when hot and usually ranges from 30 to 40. This means that 5W-30 oil is thinner than 10W-30 when cold.

AAA advises motorists to refer to the SAE oil rating to decide which oil grade is best, and to look in the owner’s manual for the viscosity recommended for the vehicle.

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