"AAA believes a combination of lower gas prices, consumers holding onto their vehicles longer and some motorists cutting regular maintenance from their budgets will drive an increase in the need for roadside assistance this summer," said AAA Automotive Vice President Marshall L. Doney.
Moreover, the number of motorists who suffer major vehicle problems that require a tow are scheduled to increase to around 3.2 million.
The club recommends motorists two basic things they should have in mind when planning a summer road trip in order to lower the chances that their vehicles leave them stranded.
In order to identify problems before they arise, motorists should have their vehicles serviced regularly based on the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule.
Motorists are also advised to identify a quality repair shop and use that facility for all of their vehicles' repairs and maintenance. According to AAA, repeated use of a trustworthy shop allows a motorist to develop a good working relationship with the service staff, and allows the repair technicians to get to know the vehicle and make needed service recommendations in a timely manner.
Flat tires and battery corrosion are also two common problems motorists have to deal with. The number of motorists seeking assistance from AAA with flat tires traditionally rises during the summer months.
Summer heat accelerates the rate of corrosion on the vehicle's battery terminals, which can leave you stranded without warning. AAA anticipates it will jump start or replace more than 1.3 million batteries this summer.
Google News