Caring for your car is key during frigid weather conditions

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - With frigid temperatures come car problems.

So drivers need to be prepared during weather like what we’re experiencing right now in the CSRA.

And to get prepared for any car emergency, we need to head to the experts, not social media.

For example if you type in “winter car trick” or “car defrosting hack” on TikTok, you won’t necessarily find people pouring hot water on their cars but filling up a bag with hot water and rubbing it on the windshield.

This hack is intended to “help” you but could have you reaching for your wallet.

Stay up to date on winter weather by ing the WRDW Weather App on Google Play or the Apple App Store.

These preparations for your car don’t stop at defrosting.

Aaron Clements at C&C Automotive said this is always the time of year when he sees people come in with messed-up radiators, engine blocks cracking and bad batteries.

Here’s a tip from Clements: If your battery is three or four years old, it’s time for a new one, because even if it’s fine in the fall, it’ll croak in the winter.

Clements said a battery loses about 20% of its energy in the winter.

“A battery that’s marginal in the fall can be completely bad in the wintertime,” he said.

Clements says people tend to come in during the winter months to check the antifreeze.

“One of the worst case scenarios is if the coolant freezes inside your engine, it expands and it can crack the block and then turn a very expensive engine into a boat anchor,” he said. “So you don’t want the coolant to freeze. So make sure the anti-freeze is in good shape.”

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If all goes well and your car starts, experts say you need to be prepared for possible issues on the road. to bring jackets, blankets, food, water, a flashlight, batteries, and maybe most important: a phone charger you can use in your car.

Quick tips

• Have a full tank of gas.
• Wear your seat belt.
• Use your blinkers and drive safely.
• Always use your judgment behind the wheel.
• Bring hats, gloves, a balaclava, earmuffs and a scarf to protect your face from the bitter cold.
• Tires should be inspected to ensure they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth.
• Make sure your car battery is charged. Check with your local mechanic or visit AAA to make sure your car has a good battery.
• Don’t use cruise control in precipitation and freezing temperatures.
• Always travel with a cellphone, car charger, portable charger.
• Keep your phone charged and keep a portable charger with you.
• Equip your vehicle with a snow shovel, scraper, and some warm clothing and blankets.
• Make sure you have an emergency roadside kit including a flashlight, ice scraper, jumper cables, flares and medicines.
• Check washer fluid and anti-freeze, to ensure they are at adequate levels.
• Make sure to get some bags of salt if it gets icy on the sidewalks and roads.
• Stay safe while driving on black ice
• Drive slowly and smoothly. Avoid sudden hard acceleration, braking, or steering. With antilock brakes, use steady pressure – don’t pump. Pumping disables the antilock brakes and makes a skid more likely.
• Watch for icy surfaces on bridges and intersections, even if the rest of the road seems to be in good condition.
• If you get stuck in snow or ice, straighten the wheel, and accelerate slowly. Add sand, traction mats, or cat litter under the drive wheels to help avoid spinning the tires.
• If you’re stalled, remain in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you. Do not set out on foot unless you can see a building close by where you know you can take shelter.
• Don’t idle for a long time with the windows up or in an enclosed space.
• If your tires lose traction and you begin to skid, continue to look, and steer in the direction you want to go. If the drive wheels start to spin or slide while going up a hill, ease off the accelerator slightly and then gently resume speed.
• Keep your hazard lights on if you’re stuck on the side of the road.

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