Phoenix, Ariz., February 11, 2009. When gas prices hit an all-time high last summer, AAA Arizona automotive experts began to notice a trend – when forced to pay record prices at the pump, motorists started to spend less on preventative vehicle maintenance. Since then, the statewide average for fuel has fallen substantially and, despite lower prices at the pump, the auto club is continuing to observe the trend of consumers foregoing vehicle maintenance.
Since the start of 2009, AAA Arizona’s Emergency Roadside Assistance team has come to the aid of 27,695 motorists. According to the auto club, more than half of these calls were a result of lack of preventative vehicle maintenance. Another trend AAA has observed is that motorists seem to be holding onto their used vehicles, instead of buying newer ones.
“As a result of the economy, we are seeing consumers keep their vehicles longer which translates to our technicians working on vehicles with higher mileage and failures we didn’t used to see very often,” said Jesse Garcia, general manager of AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility Kelly Clark Automotive Specialists in Phoenix. “We used to see consumers drive their vehicles to 100,000 miles and now it tends to be more in the 150,000-mile range. Motorists tend to forget about their owner’s manual, which contains a ‘to do’ list by their vehicle manufacturer. Adhering to and budgeting for a regular maintenance schedule can help to extend the life of a vehicle, which is imperative at a time when motorists are driving their vehicles longer.”
“When motorists delay vehicle maintenance as a result of budget constraints, they usually do not understand that keeping a properly maintained vehicle is the best way to avoid costly major repairs,” said Don Nunnari, vice president of membership products and services. “However, even more important than the cost of maintenance or repair is that preventative maintenance is also critical to the safe operation of a vehicle, which is something you cannot put a price tag on.”
To assist motorists on a budget, AAA has developed the following list entitled Car Care Musts You Don’t Want to Skip. The list outlines 10 key vehicle components that require maintenance, either by the motorist themselves or a mechanic, on a regular basis:
| Car Care Must |
Why? |
| Tire Pressure |
Over-inflated tires suffer premature wear at the center of their tread. Under-inflated tires cause imprecise handling, suffer premature wear at the edges of their tread, and can overheat and fail at highway speeds. Tires lose about one pound of pressure per month through normal seepage, and lose or gain another pound of inflation pressure with every 10 degree change in outside temperature. |
| Engine Air Filter
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Your vehicle’s air filter prevents dust and dirt from entering the engine. A dirty or clogged air filter restricts airflow and will reduce engine performance and fuel economy while increasing exhaust emission levels. |
| Battery Cables, Clamps & Terminals
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Power from the battery flows to the rest of your vehicle’s electrical system through the cables, clamps and terminals. If these components and connections become corroded or loose, your car won’t have the power needed to start the engine and operate other systems. |
| Windshield Washer Fluid
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Rain, insects, grime and other debris on your windshield will compromise your vision if your windshield wipers cannot remove them. A supply of the proper washer fluid will help your wipers remove these contaminants effectively. |
| Engine Oil
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Without an adequate supply of clean oil, your engine will wear more rapidly and could even seize and be destroyed. Lighter grade oils reduce the load on your car’s battery and starter, allowing more rapid cranking and starting. Lighter oils also reach critical engine lubrication areas much quicker than heavier oils, greatly reducing wear. |
| Windshield Wiper Blades |
Windshield wipers are easy to overlook until you find yourself in a pounding rainstorm. If your wiper blades are worn, cracked or rigid with age, they will not adequately remove rain, grime and other debris that can obscure your vision. |
| Antifreeze/Coolant Protection |
The primary task of an engine coolant is to transfer heat from the engine to the radiator where it is removed by the passing airflow. Modern engine coolants also prevent the cooling system from freezing or boiling, protect the engine and cooling system from rust and corrosion and lubricate the water pump seals and other cooling system components. |
| Tire Tread |
The four points where the rubber meets the road are the only things that stand between you and a collision. Worn tires with inadequate tread are much more likely to hydroplane on wet pavement or lose traction in the snow, resulting in a loss of braking power and steering control. |
| Drive Belt Tensioner
|
One or more rubber drive belts transfer the rotation of the engine’s crankshaft to various accessories that help your vehicle function properly. Belts that are too loose will allow slippage and reduce efficiency. Belts that are too tight can damage bearings and cause premature component failure. |
| Brake Fluid |
The fluid in your car’s brake hydraulic system transfers your foot pressure at the brake pedal into stopping power at the wheels. An adequate supply of clean brake fluid is absolutely essential for safe vehicle operation. Old, moisture-contaminated brake fluid, or a low fluid level that allows air to enter the system, can lead to brake fade or a complete loss of braking power. |
To learn more about AAA Arizona’s list of Car Care Musts You Don’t Want to Skip, including when maintenance on these items should be performed and what the bottom line could be if maintenance of these items are ignored, visit the Car Care Musts You Don’t Want to Skip page located at AAA.com.
Motorists looking for an honest and reliable auto repair facility to conduct a vehicle inspection or repairs can visit either AAA club-owned facility in Mesa or Peoria or visit www.az.aaa.com/auto to browse the auto club’s list of more than 155 Approved Auto Repair facilities across the state. Members looking to save on vehicle maintenance can also visit http://www.az.aaa.com/auto/AAR_coupons.htm to learn about coupons and specials being offered by AAA club-owned and approved facilities.
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.
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Editor’s Note: AAA auto experts are available for interview. Please contact AAA Arizona Public Affairs.
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