By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas notes that some drivers may find themselves unexpectedly at the side of the road over the next several days.
"Unfortunately, if you haven't had your car serviced and gotten it ready for winter, you could experience a dead battery, or just other issues that can relate to car maintenance this time of year. Batteries are a big issue that we see, in terms of our roadside service calls in the winter. Even at 32 degrees, a battery is 35% weaker and at 0 degrees, a car's battery loses about 60% of its strength."
The life span for car batteries is well less than the life of the rest of the car.
"Typically a battery is going to last three to five years," Steward said. "If your battery is in that age range, you should definitely get it in and get that charge tested, so it can be there to help you out when you need it on the coldest mornings."
It's also important to have what you need in the vehicle with you in case you break down and have to stay with your car.
"It's a really great idea, especially in the winter, to travel with an emergency kit," Steward said. "Kind of anticipate what you would need to stay safe and warm, should you have a breakdown in your vehicle and have to wait for a while for help. More than 40% of motorists don't carry an emergency kit in their vehicle. Put together a box or a plastic tub of items. Make sure you have your cell phone properly charged and carry a charger with you."
The emergency kit should also include:
· Bottled water
· First-aid kit
· Non-perishable snacks for both human and pet passengers
· Bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter) or traction mats
· Snow shovel
· Blankets
· Extra warm clothing (coat, gloves, hats, scarves)
· Flashlight with extra batteries
· Window washer solvent
· Ice scraper with brush
· Cloth or roll of paper towels
· Jumper cables
· Warning devices (flares or triangles)
· Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench)
Bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter in the United States.