Is your car ready for winter? Check it out when the clocks turn back.

AAA suggests motorists mark November 2 for key winter car care checks

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Oct 20, 2014, 08:05 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumers have leveraged the changing of the clocks to remember important but infrequent tasks like replacing smoke alarm batteries. AAA suggests motorists also use this event as a reminder to check their vehicle for winter readiness.

"The end of daylight savings time means that winter weather is on the way, which can be rough on your car," says AAA's director of Automotive Engineering, Greg Brannon. "This is a good time to have vehicle systems checked and perform important maintenance to ensure your car is in peak condition."

Harsh winter conditions make your vehicle work harder, particularly the charging and starting system, headlights, tires and windshield wipers. AAA recommends that motorists:

Clean any corrosion from battery posts and cable connections and wash all surfaces with battery terminal cleaner or a solution of baking soda and water. Have the battery checked by a professional to ensure it is strong enough to face cold weather.
Have any engine drivability problems corrected at a good repair shop. Symptoms like hard starts, rough idling, stalling or diminished power could signal a problem that would be exacerbated by cold weather.
Replace worn windshield-wiper blades. If your climate is harsh, purchase one-piece beam-type or rubber-clad "winter" blades to fight snow and ice build-up. Use cold-weather windshield washer solvent and carry an ice-scraper.
Inspect all lights and bulbs and replace burned out bulbs. Clean road grime or clouding from all lenses.
Have your mechanic check the exhaust system for leaks and look for any holes in the trunk and floorboards.
Examine tires for tread depth, uneven wearing and cupping. Check tire pressures once a month when tires are cold, before driving for any distance. In extreme climates, a set of winter snow tires may be a wise investment.

Additional information regarding AAA's recommendations for proper vehicle maintenance is available on the AAA Newsroom and AAA's YouTube channel. AAA's network of more than 7,000 Approved Auto Repair providers is listed on AAA.com. AAA members can receive a free maintenance inspection anytime they have work performed at any of these locations.

AAA continually conducts proprietary research to better understand consumer implications of automotive technology, design and functionality.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 54 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

AAA news releases, high-resolution images, broadcast-quality video, fact sheets and podcasts are available on the AAA Newsroom at newsroom.aaa.com.

Stay connected with AAA on the web via:

Twitter.com/AAAauto

Twitter.com/AAAnews

YouTube.com/AAA

Facebook.com/AAAfanpage

Facebook.com/AutoSkills

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SOURCE AAA