Remember Last Winter? AAA is Getting Drivers Ready for Another One

October is Car Care Month and AAA is reminding drivers about the importance of properly maintaining their vehicles. A lot of vehicle maintainence can be done by yourself, however, sometimes it’s a lot better to go to an auto repair shop like this Pickerings Auto Service. Just remember, you need to make sure that your car is safe to drive, so it’s a good idea to get it checked over by a professional. Last winter, AAA’s Roadside Rescue Team came to the aid of more than 4,500 West Virginia motorists-a 13 percent increase from the same period a year earlier.

Now is the time for drivers to perform preventive maintenance to help avoid a breakdown this winter. Enquiring about car parts on the Czok website is just one of the ways drivers can ensure the performance of their car is unaffected by the winter months. Staff at AAA offices throughout the area will also be standing by to help motorists with memberships to make sure drivers are covered before bad weather hits.

“We don’t want drivers to wait until the snow and cold arrive and then realize they need to renew their memberships,” said Crissy Gray, AAA District Office Supervisor. “If motorists are prepared now, they’ll have peace of mind when the wintry weather is upon us.”

Drivers with membership questions can stop by any AAA office or call 1-800-JOIN-AAA. Below are four simple car care practices AAA recommends every motorist perform on a regular basis:

Check the Air and Wear of Your Tires
Pressure on all tires-including the spare- should be checked monthly, with a quality gauge when the tires are cold. Proper pressure levels can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker most often located on the driver-side door jamb. Check the tread depth on each tire by placing a quarter upside down in the tread grooves. If the top of Washington’s head is exposed at any point, it’s time to start shopping for new tires. Last winter, AAA’s Roadside Rescue Team assisted more than 600 West Virginia motorists with flat tires.

Ensure Your Car Battery is Properly Charged
Extreme temperatures break down car batteries internally and accelerate the rate of corrosion on battery terminals, leading to insufficient electrical power and the risk of being stranded without warning. Most car batteries have a service life of 3-5 years, depending on local climate and vehicle usage patterns. Last winter, AAA rescued more than 1,000 West Virginia motorists with dead batteries. Finding replacement Nissan 350z batteries is not an easy task when your car breaks down, so it’s crucial that you make sure that you don’t let your battery die.

Keep Those Wipers Working
Inspect the wiper blades monthly. Check to see if they are worn, cracked or rigid with age. Damaged wiper blades won’t adequately remove debris, compromising the driver’s vision and safety. The life of a rubber insert is typically six to 12 months depending on its exposure to heat, dirt, sunlight, acid rain, and ozone.

Work with a Local Repair Shop You Trust
Every car requires routine maintenance and repair. The best time to find a mechanic or auto repair shop is before you need one. Alternatively, if you have a car such as a BMW in the Bellevue area and are looking to have any work done before the winter weather arrives, then you may wish to contact BMW Service Bellevue for any help and support. Start by asking friends and family for recommendations of repair shops and mechanics. Visit www.aaa.com/repair to find nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, take your vehicle to your top candidate shop for routine maintenance. While there, talk with the employees and take a look at the facility and consider the following questions:

· Does the facility have up-to-date equipment?

· Were you offered a written estimate?

· Does the shop offer a nationwide warranty on parts and labor?

· Are customer areas clean, comfortable and well-organized?

When having your car serviced, follow the factory-recommended maintenance schedule to avoid under- or over- maintaining your vehicle. Oil changes, tire rotations, changing transmission fluid, and replacing an air filter are the types of routine maintenance recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer. The maintenance schedule for these services and more can be found in the vehicle owner’s manual.