CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Winter officially starts on Dec. 21, and it’s also the season for holiday travel.
Employees with AAA Carolinas think this year might be the busiest since the pandemic.
From Dec. 23 to Jan. 2, AAA Carolinas predicts 3.3 million North Carolinians will travel 50 miles or more away from home.
About 90% of them will drive, according to AAA Carolinas.
AAA Carolinas Car Care Technician Jason Karp says drivers should make sure their car is cold-weather ready before their next holiday road trip.
Karp says colder weather can be hard on an engine, so to help ease the burden, make sure to change the vehicle’s motor oil and filter as recommended by the manufacturer. Also during the winter months, pay special attention to engine coolant, wiper fluid and brake fluid levels.
“These are things you want to make sure that they’re maintained as oppose to repairs,” Karp said.
Karp says drivers should also inspect their wiper blades.
“Make sure there’s no tears or pieces missing and that the rubber is in good shape,” Karp said. “And that it lays flat against the glass.”
Next, check the tires’ tread with a depth gauge tool.
Karp says when driving in winter conditions, such as snow, there should be at least 35 seconds of an inch of rubber left on your tires.
“Your stopping distance will be increased, your ability to control the vehicle when water is sitting on the ground and avoid hydroplaning,” Karp said. “And the function of all the safety systems on the car are going to be affected.”
Karp also says drivers should check their tire pressure and fill up the tires to the correct PSI levels. The levels can be found on a placard near the driver’s side door.
“Tires are going to lose about 10 PSI for every drop of 10 degrees in ambient temperature,” Karp said. “A lot of people’s tire pressure systems are going to be notifying them on their dash with a tire pressure warning light coming up.”
Last, but most importantly, Karp says to check the car’s battery. He says working batteries is especially important for chilly mornings.
“Anything of that nature will require a higher amp load,” Karp said. “And the battery being properly charged will ensure that your car has the required amp ridge to crank the engine in colder weather.”
If it all sounds like a lot of work, Karp recommends drivers see a trusted mechanic before it snows, or heading off on a winter road trip.
“Let their mechanic know that they’re going on a trip, where they’re possibly going, and any type of adverse weather that they may be going into that may require special attention that we don’t normally see in weather patterns that we have in [North Carolina],” Karp said.
AAA Carolinas also recommends drivers keep a bundled of cold weather gear in their car. That can be extra supplies of food, water, warm clothing, a flashlight, glass scraper, blankets and medications.