AAA's Roadside Rescue Team expected to receive more than 1,000 calls in Greater Hartford and eastern Connecticut for the fifth straight day Friday, a sign that winter has set in.

The number of calls spiked significantly Thursday due to the frigid temperatures, and heavy volume continued Friday morning in connection with the snow. Many of the calls involved requests for towing and extrication services, AAA announced, while calls for battery service and jump starts remained strong.

AAA received 1,104 calls Monday, 1,128 calls Tuesday, 1,144 calls Wednesday and 1,988 calls Thursday. It received 400 calls by 10:30 a.m. Friday. The numbers are for emergency road service dispatched in Greater Hartford and Hartford, Middlesex, Tolland, Windham and New London counties.

The travel agency issued tips for maintaining vehicles in cold weather:

? Check for battery warning signs — Batteries last an average of three to five years, but driving conditions, climate and lack of care and maintenance can shorten a battery's lifespan. Warning signs of an impending breakdown include a slow-cranking engine when starting; grinding, clicking or buzzing sounds when the ignition is turned; stalling; headlights that dim when the vehicle is idling but brighten when the engine is revved; and a battery that is more than 3 years old.

? Check tires- Cold weather can reduce tire pressure, so check tires frequently and maintain the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure found on the driver's door jamb - not the pressure stamped on the tire sidewall. Motorists should never reduce tire pressure in an attempt to increase traction on snow and ice.

? Frozen locks— To help prevent icing, direct silicone or graphite spray into the lock. If the lock is already frozen, carefully warm up the key. Commercial de-icers are available at hardware and automotive stores. AAA does not recommend pouring hot water into or around door locks because the water will freeze.

? EV cold-weather range anxiety— AAA reminds electric vehicle owners that their range may be reduced in cold conditions. Cold limits battery performance, and running the heater drains the battery. Newer electric vehicles can travel more than 100 miles with a full charge, but AAA tests found that EV range can be reduced by an average of 57 percent when temperatures drop to 20 degrees.

? Carry an emergency roadside kit— AAA encourages motorists to carry an emergency roadside kit that contains a fully-charged mobile phone and car charger; blankets; a flashlight with extra batteries; a first-aid kit; drinking water and snacks; a small shovel and a sack of sand, cat litter or traction mats; a windshield scraper and brush; battery booster cables; and emergency flares or reflectors.