Nick Verberkmoes of H & H Mobil, 1500 Haslett Road, replaces the half shaft on a ’96 Toyota Camry. The owner of the Camry hit a curb while driving on slippery roads. Verberkmoes said mechanical problems like these are common because of the limited visibility and slippery road conditions during the winter.
As if snow, icy roads and subzero temperatures weren’t enough, drivers also have to worry about keeping their cars in good condition during winter weather.
Jim Little, owner and mechanic at H & H Mobil, 1500 Haslett Road, said the shop typically services about 12 cars per day but has seen an increase in dead batteries and busted cooling systems this winter.
Little said people should service their vehicles regularly to avoid car problems.
“People that don’t take care of their cars make a lot of bad luck for themselves,” he said.
Little said he also tends to see many damaged steering parts from drivers accidentally running over potholes.
Kate Higginbotham, a biochemistry and molecular biology graduate student, said her car’s technology has prevented major automotive problems.
“I have a remote start on my car, so I can let it warm up easily,” she said.
Higginbotham said she’s noticed many more accidents on the roads lately, which she attributes to poor efforts to plow streets.
“It makes it a lot harder to get around,” she said.
Bill McCullough, branch manager of Lansing’s AAA office, said maintaining a car’s battery and being safe in doing so can keep you and your car in good condition.
If you’re having battery problems, try jump-starting the car, McCullough said.
“If you don’t know how to jump-start a car properly, be careful because it could cause your battery to explode,” he said.
For the common frozen key hole, McCullough advises drivers to carefully heat the key with a lighter to unfreeze the lock.
“If that doesn’t work, try filling a plastic jug with hot water and holding it against the keyhole,” McCullough said.
“But don’t throw hot water on your car because it could break your window.”
For more tips on how to keep your car safe from the frigid weather, McCullough recommends visiting www.autoclubgroup.com.
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