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Although recent reports show a warmer front moving through the greater Bangor area this week, near-record breaking cold has caused its share of problems on campus.
Public Safety reported an increase in the number of cold-weather related vehicle failures this month, and more and more cars are being towed from campus lots.
Want to save yourself a trip to the garage?
Swett’s Tire and Auto Center suggests that drivers make sure their batteries are up to par.
“The main reason this happens is because of [bad] batteries,” a mechanic for Swett’s said. “Check your battery and make sure it works.”
The cost to fix problems related to cold weather varies greatly. Someone can purchase a new battery or a cold starter kit, but sometimes the kit doesn’t even help. A mechanic at Swett’s pointed out that the reason many of these cars won’t run is because they are old and not in the best condition.
“Newer cars do not have these same problems,” one mechanic stated.
Since many of these problems derive from issues with the battery, the University of Maine does offer some form of assistance.
“When people are broken down, call Public Safety,” Paul Paradis, manager of Parking Services, said. “A few people call [Parking Services] and they are directed to Public Safety.”
According to Public Safety, they have jumper cables that can be picked up. All a person has to do is sign them out at the station and drop off some form of identification. The person is required to find a car to jump theirs from.
In the past, they have had other programs that involved Public Safety jump-starting the vehicle, but, according to Paradis, these programs have not been reinstated mainly due to the safety issues surrounding them.
Temperatures may be on the rise, but this has been one of the coldest winters Orono has encountered in years, and cars are still breaking down. If Public Safety cannot help, Sullivan’s towing services can tow a car for $30, or it could remain on campus, leaving it to thaw until Spring.
