“Summerize” Your Vehicle During Nat’l Car Care Month

Phoenix, Ariz., March 31, 2008 – April is National Car Care Month, an important time to ensure vehicles are prepared for Arizona’s brutal summer heat. As a result, AAA Arizona is encouraging motorists to have their vehicles inspected to ensure their vehicle’s reliability, safety and even gas mileage before summer begins. In addition, all AAA members can take their car to any AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility during the month of April for a free car care check-up.

“Proper car care is more than filling up the gas tank,” said Don Nunnari, vice president of membership products and services for AAA Arizona. “Preventative maintenance on all of your vehicle’s vital systems will make it safer to drive and keep you from being stranded on the side of the road.  Fixing a small problem before it turns into a bigger problem will save you time and money in the long run,” he continued. “Biannual inspections will help you catch minor maintenance issues before they turn into major problems that cost much more to fix.”

Last summer, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, AAA Arizona’s Emergency Roadside Services assisted  over 124,000 stranded motorists. As many as 60 percent of these drivers could have prevented their need for service had their vehicles been checked before the start of summer. In fact, 27,000 calls were received by AAA Arizona’s Emergency Roadside Services for battery jumpstarts while an additional 57,000 motorists needed towing services for various preventative motor failures.

To ensure a trouble-free vehicle this summer, AAA recommends motorists have an automotive professional check the following during National Car Care Month:   

• Battery. Arizona’s hot summers can dramatically shorten the life of a vehicle battery. If your battery is low on water or becomes corroded, the power it provides to your vehicle could be eliminated. If your vehicle begins to crank slower upon startup, have your battery tested as it could be losing life.  
  
  
• Charging System. While the battery works closely with the charging system on your vehicle, a bad charging system component such as the alternator, or a drain, can quickly deplete a new battery, or the ability for that battery to hold a charge.
  
  
• Tires. While tires are one of the most important components on a vehicle, they are also one of the most  overlooked parts of a vehicle. Proper tire inflation is crucial to the life of the tire, maximizing a vehicle’s fuel economy and the safety of everyone on the road. Tire inflation should be checked while the tire is cold and at least once per month and to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, which can usually be found on a sticker placed on the driver side doorjamb. 
  
  
• Belts and Hoses. The belts and hoses on a vehicle should be inspected at every oil change and especially before the summer months. Arizona’s dry heat can quickly cause rubber items to dry and crack under the hood, which can adversely affect a vehicle’s electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and cooling system.
  
  
• Windshield Wipers. Because of their direct exposure to the sun, windshield wipers tend to dry and crack faster than rubber components under the hood of a vehicle. As a result, they should be replaced about every six months.
  
  
• Motor Oil and Lubricants. Because each vehicle is different, check your owner's manual for specific oil recommendations. When driving under extreme conditions – like very hot temperatures or towing a trailer – try switching to oil with a higher viscosity. Also, be sure to have all other fluids and lubricants checked and replaced as needed. Dirty and inadequate levels of these components can cause internal damage to your vehicle if not properly maintained.

Even a vehicle that receives regular maintenance can experience unexpected failures. In these instances, an emergency car care kit can help fix the problem, or make the wait for help a little more bearable. The kit should include jumper cables, a flashlight, duct tape, and various first aid items among other things. These kits can be purchased at any AAA branch office.

Motorists looking to find a trusted auto repair shop to conduct a vehicle check-up during National Car Care Month can visit www.AAAAZ.com/auto to search AAA Arizona’s database of over 155 Approved Auto Repair (AAR) facilities across the state. AAA members who take their vehicle to an AAR facility during the month of April will receive a free 36-point vehicle maintenance inspection and vehicle charging system test. This is a $50 value and just two dollars less than the cost of a AAA membership for an entire year.  

AAA initiated AAA Car Care Month during the 1980s to publicize the fact that poorly maintained vehicles contribute to excessive energy consumption and air pollution.

AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to nearly 800,000 Arizona members.  Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists.  Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.   AAA can be visited on the Internet at www.AAAAZ.com.