Strong Battery Boosts Frigid Start-Ups, Says AAA

NORTH HAVEN — As winter weather drops to subfreezing temperatures, like this week, one of the best ways to protect yourself against winter car trouble is to be certain your battery is fully charged, according to AAA Southern New England.

“When the temperature drops to near zero, the number of calls AAA receives from stranded motorists soars,” said AAA Media Relations Manager Fran Mayko. “The most common cause of these cold-weather breakdowns is a weak or dead battery.”

AAA recommends motorists have batteries tested to monitor its condition, especially if batteries are more than two years old. Corrosion around the terminals and low fluid levels under the battery’s plates can also cause battery malfunctions.

The most common sign of a weak battery is an unusual sound coming from the starter motor when the ignition key is turned, indicating difficulty in starting the engine.

If your car will not start in the cold, do not lean on that ignition switch. Shut off the ignition, wait a minute or two, and then try again.

Once the car starts, do not rev the engine. Allow the engine and its oil to warm up for a minute or so. Then drive at a steady speed while the engine comes up to normal operating temperature.

Here are some other cold weather start-up tips:

*Engine oil: Every car engine depends on oil for lubrication. But oil that has not been changed regularly thickens and turns molasseslike in cold temperatures.

*Make sure your gas tank is full. When the tank is more than half empty, condensation can form on the inside walls. That water can drop into the gas causing freezing of the gas line.

Often in frigid temperatures, the rubber gasket around car doors can freeze, making opening or closing them difficult. Spray some silicone on the gasket to keep it pliable — and also spray silicone in the car door locks to prevent them from freezing, since silicone displaces moisture.

AAA Southern New England serves a half-million Connecticut members in Fairfield, Litchfield and New Haven Counties. Visit aaa.com for more information.