EXPERT: Be Sure Your Car is Ready For the Extreme Cold

WITZ Radio News is an affiliate of Network Indiana 

STATE WIDE--If you have to be out during the extreme cold, you should make sure your car is ready. AAA Hoosier Motor Club spokesperson Greg Seiter said he expects they will get double the number of calls they normally do over the next couple of days.

One of the reasons is that people's batteries take a beating from the extreme cold.

"The battery and charging system are going to take a hit over the next couple of days," said Seiter. He said if you don't have complete confidence in your battery, take some time and go get it tested today, so you don't end up stuck tomorrow.

Seiter said you should always be prepared for your car to break down by having some things in your car that can keep you safe: A cell phone that's charged, and a charger; AAA membership card, water, non-perishable snacks; a first aid kit; a bag of sand, a shovel, blankets, extra clothes, hats and gloves; a flashlight; batteries; jumper cables; fire extinguisher; windshield deicer; an ice scraper and a snow brush; warning devices like flares and tools.

"It seems like a lot to have in a car, but really you can put those items in a box in the back of your trunk and keep them stored easily," said Seiter.

He said check your tire pressure and remember to take it slow.

"Even if we don't have any snow accumulation, per se, just with the ice and with the frozen moisture that's already on the roadways, people are going to have some problems navigating," he said.

Seiter said the main thing to remember is take it slower than normal.