By Jade Thornton OMAHA, Neb. – As temperatures drop and the first signs of winter hit the Midwest, Omaha drivers are taking steps to make sure their cars are ready for the cold months ahead.
Experts say winter weather can be tough on vehicles, especially on car batteries. According to AAA, a car battery loses about 35 percent of its power at 32 degrees and up to 60 percent at zero, making cold starts one of the most common winter car problems.
Car owner Ben Wessel says last year’s freezing mornings taught him an important lesson about preparation.
“Last year I definitely started to get more cold starts and what not,” Wessel said. “It might take a few attempts to get it going. I think that was a battery issue and I have got that replaced now.”
Mechanics recommend checking a vehicle’s battery, tire pressure, and fluid levels before the first major freeze. They also say keeping an emergency kit in the car, including jumper cables, a scraper, and blankets, can make a big difference if a breakdown happens on a cold day.
Car owner Tsolemn Beach says being proactive is the key to avoiding trouble once the snow starts to fall.
“Keep a scraper in your car, keep tabs on your battery, keep jumper cables in there,” Beach said. “Make sure you have the tires for it. You don’t want to be slipping and sliding or tail spinning or anything.”
The National Weather Service reports that vehicles need two to six times more distance to stop on snow or ice compared to dry pavement, making tire traction and brake checks especially important before winter driving conditions set in.
As another Nebraska winter approaches, drivers across Omaha are making small changes now to stay safe and to make sure they’re not left stranded in the cold later. With freezing mornings just around the corner, experts say a little time spent on car care today can go a long way toward avoiding costly repairs and keeping Omaha roads safer all season long.
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