Cold Temps Can Wreak Havoc On Car Batteries

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The bitter cold temperatures can also wreak havoc on your car battery. because of that, AAA crews have been busy.

With artic air moving in, road crews with AAA are bracing to work overtime.

The calls were already piling up this morning.

"We've experienced probably about a 50 percent increase in our volume already and certainly we expect the onslaught to come here later today and tomorrow," Steve Popovich with AAA said.

One of the calls this morning was from a woman in Shadyside.

It took AAA to get her Subaru up and running.

"I went to start it up and nothing. It just clicked," she said.

Battery issues will likely be the big problem over the next 24 hours.

So, how can you prevent being in this position?

The key is being prepared.

Car experts say the average battery life here in southwestern Pennsylvania is about three-and-a-half years.

If your battery is on the older side, lift the hood and take a good look at it.

"One would be to examine the terminals to see if there is heavy corrosion and also look around this area. If you see any dampness, maybe that is acid leaking out of it," Burt Young said.

Another bad sign is if the side of your battery is bulging.

If you end up with a dead battery and have to call AAA, just know that there may be a bit of a wait.

"We're going to prioritize our service, so certainly we're going to get the people that are in harm's way first, if you are at home tomorrow and call us, please expect a little bit of a delay maybe because we are out prioritizing, getting the people that are in the elements first," Popovich said.