In the recent cold snap, mechanics have seen an influx of some car problems in their shops.
They said that the biggest issues were with car batteries, which are more prone to failure in the cold. It’s not just the cold that affects the batteries; it’s the age and change of seasons that play the biggest role in a car battery’s decline.
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“When temperatures dip like this, we see our dead battery calls go through the roof. It’s the summer sun that kind of kills the battery, it breaks it down, and then the final nail in the coffin is that really cold morning,” said Jim Garrity, AAA Director of Public Affairs.
Cold and snowy weather can also cause problems for windshield wiper motors and prompt tire changes.
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Car troubles are never welcomed, but mechanics say that there are preventative measures that you can take. “Your car needs to warm up; all of the fluids need to get through the system first. You can’t just jump in it in 0 degrees weather and head down the road. You’re doing damage to the motor, to all of the components in the vehicle,” said
Dan Tupek, owner of Route 5 Auto.
Experts also encourage drivers to get their batteries tested and to let their cars run for even just 10 minutes if they plan to stay at home on a cold day.