AAA Offers Free Winter Auto Care Inspections to Mich. Motorists

AAA Michigian has announced it is offering a free winter car care maintenance inspection at participating AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) facilities statewide.

The inspections, which will run through the month of October, are
part of the Auto Club’s 2007 Winter Car Care program, now in its 28th year. This is a free public service for all Michigan motorists; AAA membership is not required.

Components inspected by the AAR facilities include battery load and
terminals, anti-freeze, oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid and
transmission fluids, belts, hoses, tires and wiper blades.

The most common deficiencies noted by AAR technicians include old or corroded batteries, worn or damaged wiper blades, clogged air filters, tire pressure and wear, low windshield washer fluid, dirty or low motor oil and low anti-freeze levels.

In Michigan, faulty batteries and/or faulty terminal connections cause
more car starting problems than any other factor. Cold weather is brutal on a battery’s starting power. As the temperature drops, so does the battery’s cranking power.

“Older batteries are especially troublesome in winter,” said AAA
Michigan Automotive Services Director Marcia Wright. “And a variety of high-tech devices ranging from DVD players to automatic, sliding car doors are placing even greater demands on a vehicle’s electronic system.”

As part of its Winter Car Care program, AAA Michigan is recommending motorists closely monitor the condition of their vehicle’s battery, especially batteries more than two years old. Although batteries can carry warranties of up to 7 years, a warranty is no guarantee an older battery will continue to perform in cold weather.

Michigan residents can obtain a Winter Car Care maintenance inspection at any of AAA Michigan’s Approved Auto Repair (AAR) facilities statewide. To find the AAR facility nearest you, call
1-800-AAA-MICH or visit AAA.com/carcaretips.

Source: AAA Michigan