Plug in your vehicles during cold snap: AMA

The Alberta Motor Association is urging people to plug in their vehicles while the cold snap is around.
 
An extreme cold warning has been issued by Environment Canada and it is expected to stick around until Sunday.
 
“We recommend that you start plugging in your vehicle at minus 15 Celsius. That’s when we start to notice an increase in our call volume. Anything cooler than minus 15, start plugging your vehicle in,” said Randy Loyk, Technical Services Manager with AMA.
 
He said wait times for service can be upwards of 5 hours for towing or battery-related services for the next few days. To avoid being stuck in the cold, he recommends preparing your car for the chill.
 
“We strongly recommend it that if you are changing the oil in your vehicle that you upgrade to synthetic oil. This allows your car to start in colder temperatures. At the same time, have them check out your block heater cord and your battery.”
 
Loyk also recommends preparing for the road, especially if you are going out onto the highway. Tire pressure is important as it can fluctuate depending on the temperature, according to Loyk. A full cell phone battery is also key for heading out on the open road. 

You can check AMA Roadside Assistance Times on their website.