AAA Anticipates Five Million Stranded
Motorists During Holiday Season
Preventative steps can keep the holidays jolly and help avoid roadside trouble
Helena, Mont. 12/4/08– ‘Tis the season to be jolly, but AAA estimates the holidays might not be as merry for approximately five million motorists stranded with vehicle problems this holiday season.
North America’s largest motor club estimates it will provide two million motorists with towing services and jump start or replace one million batteries during the months of November and December, based on data from previous years.
“Cold temperatures and wintery weather take their toll on vehicles, especially if they have not been properly maintained and prepared for winter,” said Jeff Wulf, AAA Automotive Service Manager. “Now is not the time to defer vehicle maintenance or be without a motor club membership. Both are essential in guarding against unexpected repair and towing expenses and becoming stranded this holiday season.”
AAA recommends motorists have one of its Approved Auto Repair shops inspect their vehicles. AAA’s network of approved repair facilities is a free public service to help consumers find trustworthy repair shops with certified technicians. Consumers can find Approved Auto Repair facilities online at AAA.com/repair. Some key components technicians should inspect include:
- Antifreeze. Check antifreeze annually to ensure it will withstand the winter cold. A 50/50 mixture of coolant and water will protect against freezing.
- Windshield wipers and washer fluid. Replace wiper blades if they do not clear the glass in a single swipe without streaking. Fill the windshield washer reservoir with winter detergent fluid to prevent freeze up.
- Tires. Cold weather reduces tire inflation pressure, so check tire pressures frequently and maintain the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended levels. Motorists should never reduce tire pressure in an attempt to increase traction on snow and ice. This does not work and leads to excessive tire wear. Motorists in areas where it snows should make sure their tires have an M&S rating, which means they provide the added traction required in snow. In areas that have heavy snow fall, using snow tires and chains during winter months provides added safety and may be required by local laws. For best results, snow tires should be fitted to all four wheels.
- Battery. Check for a secure fit and clean away any corrosion on the battery, connectors and cables. If the battery is out of warranty, it’s advisable to have it tested before cold weather hits. If replacement is necessary, have a certified technician help select the proper battery for your vehicle type and local climate. In many areas, AAA members can make an appointment to have a AAA Battery Service technicians visit their home or office to check and replace batteries.
- Belts and hoses. Replace accessory drive belts that are cracked, glazed or frayed, as well as coolant hoses that are visibly worn, excessively soft or bulging. Check for leaks around hose clamps and the water pump.
- Other important areas to have a certified technician check in preparation for winter include the vehicle’s fluid levels, lights, brakes, exhaust system and heater/defroster. Motorists should also remember to continue regular oil and filter changes at the intervals recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
Though preventative measures go a long way toward keeping motorists driving safely on the road, unexpected weather or malfunctions may still arise and leave them stranded. AAA encourages motorists to update their emergency roadside kit for winter to include a mobile phone and car charger; blankets; a flashlight with extra batteries; a first-aid kit; drinking water; a small shovel; a sack of sand or cat litter or traction mats; windshield scraper and brush; battery booster cables; and emergency flares or reflectors.
Membership with a reliable roadside assistance provider also can be extremely useful in winter. AAA’s extensive network of roadside problem-solvers is comprised of trained technicians and specially-equipped vehicles throughout the U.S. and Canada.
In addition to providing towing and battery assistance this holiday season, AAA anticipates assisting 800,000 motorists locked out of their vehicles, more than 650,000 with tire trouble and more than 100,000 stuck in snow and ice.
AAA MountainWest Club is dedicated to providing its over 160,000 members in Alaska, Montana and Wyoming with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services. A fully taxpaying, not for profit corporation, AAA MountainWest, Inc. works for the improvement of motoring and traveling conditions and is a leader for travel, civic and safety issues. AAA can be visited on the Internet at www.aaa.com. To have up-to-date news and safety information from AAA delivered right to your desktop, sign-up for the new RSS Feed at http://aca.aaa.com/exts/email/?club=066#rss
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