Santa’s sleigh gets some roadside assistance. (CAA MANITOBA / HANDOUT)
CAA Manitoba expects to help out more than 4,700 motorists during the holiday season needing assistance.
Between today and January 3, CAA says they’ll come to the aid of thousands of drivers who are either stranded, stuck, stalled or locked-out of their vehicles.
“Being stranded on the side of the road can quickly dampen your holiday spirit,” said CAA Manitoba spokesperson Liz Peters. “A lot of problems can be avoided with regular vehicle maintenance before heading out for a road trip and by plugging it in when your car won’t be used for a few days.”
Of the calls CAA expects to attend, more than 1,200 vehicles will likely need to be towed. About 70% of the problems can be fixed on the side of the road, saving motorists a trip to the garage.
The majority of calls (36%) are for battery boosts, while tows (26%), other (15%), lockouts (13%) and tires (10%) make up the rest of CAA’s duties during this busy time of year.
To avoid any headaches on the road, CAA recommends getting your battery tested, using a synthetic oil, checking your belts, tire pressure and block heater cord for fraying or damage.
