ST. LOUIS – As sub-freezing temperatures and winter storms approach St. Louis, AAA is urging drivers to prepare their vehicles for the harsh conditions.
With icy roads and bitter cold in the forecast this weekend, proactive maintenance can prevent breakdowns and keep drivers safe. AAA highlighted a major cause for winter roadside emergencies.
“The number one reason why people call Triple A assistance in the wintertime is for dead or disabled batteries. Now once the temperature drops below freezing, your battery loses about a third of its starting power in those cold temperatures,” Nick Chabarria, AAA spokesperson, said.
AAA recommends checking your battery health, keeping tires properly inflated, and ensuring good tire tread for optimal traction.
“Your tires lose about a pound of pressure per 10-degree drop in air temperatures. So properly inflated tires are going to make sure you stay safe. If you have to drive, they’re going to make sure you have good traction,” Chabarria added.
In anticipation of severe conditions, AAA is forecasting a 200 percent increase in roadside assistance calls. The organization is deploying additional tow crews to metro areas hit hardest by weather. Their goal is to prioritize emergencies and get stranded drivers home safely.
“We’ll go into emergency priority response, meaning we’re going to prioritize those calls when people are away from home. Our goal is to always get out members home safe and warm,” Chabarria said.
To avoid emergencies, AAA recommends keeping a winter emergency kit in your car with essentials like blankets, water, jumper cable, and an ice scraper.
Remember, even if you don’t plan to travel, start your car every other day to ensure the battery stays charged. If you need AAA assistance, you can download the mobile app or call 1-800-AAA-HELP.
