ANKENY, Iowa — This week’s single digit temperatures can cause problems for vehicles out on the road. In central Iowa the Department of Transportation’s Highway Helper is on the streets with three trucks, including one in operation overnight in the Des Moines area.

“With the cold weather the biggest thing I see is the tires deflate in the cold a little bit,” said Travis Schooley, of the Highway Helper. “I see a lot of that where the tire is so low and then it just ends up blowing the tire and we end up having to change the tire.”

The Highway Helper crew carries floor jacks to help change the tires. They also remind motorists to fill their tires and gas tanks before a trip in cold weather

“A lot of people don’t air them up so I see a lot of that where the tire is so low,” said Schooley.

At Christian Brothers Automotive, business picks up when it gets cold.

“Iowa, of course, is very brutal and with the temperature fluctuations you need to keep your car running smoothly,” said Micah Smith, of Christian Brothers Automotive. “You need coolant in it to make sure that it doesn’t overheat and everything works properly in there.”

Another problem the cold creates is the car’s battery.

“Batteries are fickle beasts with the temperature fluctuation,” said Smith. “When you’re buying a battery what you really want to buy is a good warranty. That will cover you for years and years because and you kind of don’t know.”

At Christian Brothers they also have a little shop dog named Sparky. He loves to greet customers and bark at the delivery person.

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