Check Your Vehicle's Cold-Weather Readiness: AAA Northeast

With bone-chilling temperatures in the forecast for the next few days, AAA Northeast is encouraging Rhode Islanders to plan ahead and make sure their cars are ready for the cold. Coolant, engine oil and batteries should be checked regularly, the organization said, to ensure your vehicle starts on a chill winter morning.

"Preventive maintenance is essential for safe driving and greatly decreases the chances of being stranded in the cold," said John Paul, the AAA Northeast's "car doctor."

The chill temperatures will likely only stick around for a few days, so most vehicles shouldn't have issues starting, the organization said, but it serves as a reminder to check that everything is working as it should be.

First, drivers are encouraged to check their car's battery charging system, as a full battery is needed to start up in the extreme cold. When temperatures drop to zero, batteries can lose as much as 50 percent of their capacity, and it can take up to 35 percent more power to start a vehicle when temperatures are at freezing. While vehicles can be started with a jump, that's only a short-term fix, AAA said.

"A well-maintained vehicle should start in nearly any weather condition," AAA said in a release.

After making sure the battery is functioning properly, check the oil and coolant. Using the correct weight and grade of oil will help a vehicle start in cold weather, and coolant should protect an engine to 30 degrees below zero to prevent damage.