Is Your Car Ready For The Upcoming Storm?
GLENSIDE, Pa. (CBS) - The bitter cold can take its toll on your car. And with the first major snowstorm of the season expected this weekend, it might be a good time to make sure your vehicle is prepared to handle the elements.
Cars can take a beating this time of year and shops like Jim's Auto Service in Glenside can get swamped.
And with lots of snow expected, owner Jim Darragh says get ready:
"Make sure you check your batteries, check your washer fluids, all your wipers are in good shape. Belts and hoses - make sure there's no problem there. Big thing is tires."
He says they get a lot of calls from people who don't check their batteries until it's too late, and the cold pushes them past the point of no return:
"They're slow cranking on cold days but the extreme cold days then they just don't have enough to turn the engine over because the engine's so cold, oil is much more thicker when it's colder weather out and it's just harder for the engines to turnover."
He says many drivers ignore their tires until it's too late, so there could be slipping and sliding even if they have four-wheel drive.
And with severe weather comes an increased chance of a breakdown or being stuck in a bad traffic mess. Triple A says drivers should have an emergency kit packed. That means water, some food, blankets, flashlight and extra batteries, plus making sure your phone is charged before leaving the house.