Winter Weather Prompts Calls to AAA Michigan for Roadside Assistance

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 9, 2010 -- More than 2,000 motorists have been serviced by AAA Michigan through 5 p.m. Tuesday (February 9), with snow and cold weather making driving conditions difficult for motorists. AAA Michigan advises motorists to prepare themselves and their vehicles. Motorists are advised to allow extra time to get to a travel destination, monitor weather conditions and follow advice from authorities. If it is not safe to travel and you don't have to travel, don't drive.

AAA recommends that motorists keep emergency supplies in the vehicle, including a cell phone, boots, gloves, blanket, a "coffee can heater," flashlight and reflective triangle.

AAA recommends if motorists become stranded, it is best to stay with the vehicle. If you can start your engine, run it only long enough to keep warm. Make sure the exhaust pipe is snow-free.

Defensive Driving

When taking to the road during winter weather, remember to drive with caution to help maintain your safety as well as that of passengers, fellow motorists and roadside workers. AAA recommends the following tips for winter driving:

  --  Before starting out in snowy weather, take time to remove the snow
      from the entire car so it doesn't blow onto your windshield or the
      windshields of other drivers. Make sure your mirrors and lights are
      clean.
  --  Drive with your low-beam headlights illuminated.
  --  Watch for icy surfaces on bridges and intersections, even when the
      rest of the road seems to be in good condition.
  --  Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you
      to problems and give you extra seconds to react.
  --  When changing lanes, avoid cutting in front of trucks, which need more
      time and distance than passenger vehicles to stop.
  --  Don't use cruise control in precipitation and freezing temperatures.
  --  Remember that four-wheel drive helps you to get going quicker, but it
      won't help you stop any faster.
  --  Apply constant, firm pressure to the pedal with anti-lock brakes.

  Proper Preparation

Preparing for frigid weather conditions will help keep your vehicle on the road, advises AAA Michigan. Motorists can help keep their vehicles on the road by doing the following:

  --  Check your battery strength. Faulty batteries cause more car starting
      problems than any other factor. At 0 degrees, a good battery has 35
      percent less starting power.
  --  Keep the fuel tank at least half-full to avoid fuel-line freeze-up.

AAA Michigan offers travel, insurance and financial services to more than 1.6 million members in Michigan. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with approximately 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization with more than 51 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA.com