Winter Car Care Fair set

Because this is AAA Car Care Month, AAA will host a Car Care Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13 at the AAA Travel and Insurance Center, 100 International Drive, Amherst.

The event is free.

Items to be inspected include tire pressure, battery condition, windshield wipers, brakes, lights, belts and hoses.

"The winter season is just around the corner, and millions of vehicles are in need of preventive maintenance before the weather turns colder," says Tom Chestnut, president and chief executive officer of AAA Western and Central New York.

In an effort to assist motorists, AAA offers the following preparation tips:

• Have your vehicle inspected thoroughly to ensure that your tires are properly inflated, fluid levels are full, front and rear lights are operating, and belts and hoses are in good condition.

• Check your battery. The most common causes of cold-weather breakdowns is a weak or dead battery. Good indicators that your battery is weak and may need replacement include a starter motor that cranks the engine slowly when the ignition key is turned or headlights that dim noticeably when the engine speed drops to idle.

• As a safety precaution, equip your vehicle with a winter driving kit that includes a fully charged cellular phone, flashlight with fresh batteries, small snow shovel and brush, traction mats, ice scraper, booster cables, blanket, flares or triangle warning devices, heavy gloves, window washing solvent and a first aid kit.

• Review your automotive insurance policy. Heading into the winter months, it's important for

your vehicle to be properly insured in case of collision, theft, fire or other damage. Remember that as your life changes, so do your insurance needs. Plus, there may be new discounts to help save money on your premiums.

• Before you drive long distances, check the weather conditions along your route.

Visibility is reduced and the road surface is often degraded during the winter months. Motorists need to adjust driving patterns to fit the season and can increase their safety by doing the following:

• Improve visibility by turning on headlights in the late afternoon before the sun begins to set. Always use low-beam headlights in fog, rain or snow.

• Be sure to signal your intention to turn well before doing so.

• Clear all snow and ice from windows, the roof, the hood, the trunk, mirrors, lights and signals.

• Observe all speed limits and reduce speed whenever road conditions

or visibility is compromised by inclement weather.

• Avoid sudden starts, stops and hard turns, especially when roads are slippery or wet.

• Don't brake hard and use the proper braking technique

for the vehicle you drive. Cars

with antilock brakes require a steady, gradual application of pressure to the brake pedal. Cars without antilock brakes may need firm pressure on the brake pedal just short of wheel lock up and then easing off the brake slightly before reapplying pressure.

• Anticipate potential danger on the road such as icy bridges, snow-covered lane markings or stalled cars. Decrease speed, increase distance between the vehicle in front of you or change lanes to avoid trouble.

For more information, visit www. AAA. com.