This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

A Busy Winter in the Rearview Mirror

AAA offers tips to prepare your vehicle for the season ahead.

It is finally the first day of spring and AAA has tallied the numbers from what has been a punishing winter for Connecticut motorists. AAA’s Roadside Rescue Team received more than 83,000 calls for emergency road service in Greater Hartford and eastern Connecticut over the past three months. This tally includes more than 35,000 requests for towing service, nearly 21,000 dead batteries and jump starts, more than 9,500 tire problems and nearly 4,000 winch outs. 

Overall calls for emergency road service increased 7.7 percent compared to the winter of 2012-13, with a whopping 52 percent increase in calls from motorists who went off the road or were stuck in snow (winch outs).

To help motorists prepare their vehicles for the season ahead, AAA offers the following spring car care tips:

Find out what's happening in Enfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Wash Away the Salt - Wash your car to get rid of corrosive salt used to treat the roads. Be sure to wash your car’s underside every time, as this is the most common area for salt accumulation.
  • Air Filters –Air filters often get clogged with sand or become a nesting place for small animals during the cold weather. Clogged engine filters reduce fuel economy and increase exhaust emissions. Cabin air filters clean the incoming air for the passenger compartment and remove allergens.
  • Tire Pressure and Tread – Proper inflation will make tires last longer and avoid dangerous blowouts. Tire tread should also be checked for wear to keep vehicles and drivers safe during spring showers. If you have studded tires, they must be removed by the end of April in Connecticut.
  •  Beware of Potholes – Hitting a pothole can cause costly damage to your car, including lost hubcaps, misaligned wheels, damaged undercarriages and bent axles. Any unusual noises or vibrations that appear after hitting a pothole should be inspected immediately by a certified technician.
  • Drive Belts and Engine Hoses – Inspect the underside of accessory drive belts for cracks or fraying. Many newer multi-rib “serpentine” belts are made of materials that do not show obvious signs of wear; replace these belts at 60,000-mile intervals. Inspect cooling system hoses for leaks, cracks or loose clamps.
  • Keep an Eye on the Little Things – Windshield wipers, headlights, and turn signals help drivers see and be seen during inclement weather and at night. Wipers should be replaced every six months. Keep an eye on headlights and turn signals to ensure bulbs do not need to be replaced.

Gasoline Prices Trending Higher
Connecticut motorists are paying an average of $3.77 per gallon for regular gasoline—the sixth-highest price in the country. The statewide average has increased 9 cents in the past month, but is still 15 cents cheaper compared to one year ago.

As refineries conduct seasonal maintenance, the statewide average price for gas could reach an estimated $3.85-$4.05 per gallon. Prices generally rise in the spring because refineries cut production during maintenance, which can limit gasoline supplies and cause market uncertainty. This maintenance generally takes place between strong demand periods for heating oil in the winter and for gasoline in the summer.


Find out what's happening in Enfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?