Hundreds of Wisconsin drivers need jump-starts on coldest day in decades
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The bitter cold temperatures are taking a toll on commuters. Tow truck companies have responded to hundreds of calls across our area and expect to be just as busy on Thursday.
The coldest day Wisconsin has seen in more than 20 years is making it hard for commuters. Tow truck drivers with RK Motors were on the roads helping people all day Wednesday.
Driver Ebony Hardman's car wouldn't start so she stayed home Wednesday and called for help.
"My car wouldn't start this morning so low and behold," Hardman said as the tow company was jumping her car. "Thank goodness I didn't have to go to work because of the temperature."
Driver RK Motors Valentino Rodriguez, Tow Truck Driver said they biggest call they received was from drivers needing a jump start. Rodriguez warns anyone heading to work Thursday morning to get up early and make sure their cars start so if they need a jump, they'll have time to get one.
"You don't want to be in a situation to where you go outside to go to work and your car doesn't start so now you have to let your boss know your car's not starting due to the cold weather," Rodriguez said.
If you don't know how to jump-start a car, here's how:
- 1- Grab your jumper cables. You should keep a pair in your car.
- 2- Put your car and the car that's helping you in park
- 3- Attach one of the red clips to the positive terminal of your battery
- 4- Attach the other red clip to the positive terminal of the car that's helping you
- 5- Attach one of the black clips to the negative terminal of the car that's helping you
- 6- Attach the other black clip to an unpainted metal surface on your car, make sure it's not near the battery
- 7- Start the engine of the car that's helping you
- 8- Try to start your vehicle. When it turns on, keep it on for about 15 minutes before driving off