As record freezing temperatures hit across the country, drivers should take precautions to keep their vehicles safe and running smoothly.

Simple steps that will help keep a car going include checking tire pressure and having extra anti-freeze and oil on hand, Robert Sinclair of AAA New York told CBS News.

AAA New York receives as much as six times the normal amount of calls on the coldest days, he said.

"On a normal winter day at AAA New York, we might get 100 to 150 calls per hour," Sinclair told CBS. "On a day like this, we'd anticipate there could be as much as 600, 700 or 800 calls per hour."

For maximum safety, motorists should also keep on hand a full tank of gas and other emergency supplies, according to Sinclair.

"If the engine isn't running, a vehicle is 95 percent metal, and it's going to be very quickly at the same temperature as the outside air," Sinclair said. "So it's important to keep a blanket, a warm scarf, gloves, hat."

AAA and other mechanics in Minneapolis and St. Paul were flooded with calls on Monday, according to a Minnesota CBS outlet.

At least vehicles made in the last 20 years are more likely to start in the cold, Paul Hagen, owner of Hagen's Auto Body, told CBS.

"A lot of it has to do with the fuel injection versus the old carburetor cars," Hagen said.

Delivering fuel to the engine with the aid of a computer resulted in fewer dead batteries.

While cars don't need to be started every few hours in cold weather, maintenance is still important, Hagen told CBS.

"Not just an oil change, but checking the battery, you know, and having the service place check it out and make sure it's putting out top-cranking amps," he said.

He also recommended that drivers have their service places check if batteries are good and fully charged.

If a car doesn't start, Hagen said to turn off all accessories, including heat and the radio, and let the car sit for a few minutes.

"Turn it over for maybe 10 to 15 seconds. If it doesn't start, stop," he said. "Don't keep cranking it over. Let the vehicle sit for a minute or so, then pump the pedal one time and try it again."

A car should be warmed up until heat comes through the vents, Hagen said.

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