Check your car battery! CAA Quebec gets 4,000 calls with polar temps

CAA Quebec crews are in high demand as drivers need boosts for dead batteries during the deep freeze.

Those looking to start their vehicles to start the work week may have had battery trouble after the weekend’s deep freeze.

For those looking for a jump from CAA, the wait was longer than usual.

“Monday morning, our teams will be in very high demand,” said CAA spokesperson Simon Bourassa on Sunday.

Bourassa said CAA was inundated with over 4,000 calls on the weekend, mostly for drivers needing a boost as their batteries were dead.

“It’s a very, very busy weekend for us,” said Bourassa. “We’ve increased the staffing in the field in our call centres to better serve our members.”

Monday was no better -- by early afternoon, the agency had received another 4,000 calls, with about half for boosts and the other half for towing.

He said they expect a high volume of calls for at least two more days -- on a normal winter day, they receive about 2,200 to 2,800 calls, he said.

It was no surprise, with commuters returning to work, perhaps after not starting their vehicles for two days while temperatures flirted with sub -30 C temperatures.

When it comes to car batteries, it’s all about prevention, said mechanic Lisa Christensen.

“it would have been a good idea to have this tested in September,” she said. “Before winter tires season, have your battery tested.”

Christensen said to keep an eye on it throughout the winter.

“If your car is starting a little bit slower now, you notice that turn. It’s like you’re getting out of bed. Well, it’s the same thing as your car. That’s your warning. You got it started that morning. Get in and have the battery tested,” she warned.

CAA recommends the following during a cold snap:

• If you have an engine block heater, use it.
• Start the car in the evening, and turn off the radio, defrost, heat and any other accessories before shutting the engine off.
• Do not hold the ignition on for more than eight to 10 seconds if it’s not starting.
• If it doesn’t start immediately, wait 30 seconds and try again for a maximum of four attempts.

Those with electric vehicles are advised to preheat the vehicle when it’s plugged in to save power on the road.