Car Care Month | AAA Northeast

Thank you for joining us during Car Car Month!
October may be over, but AAA helps you keep your car in top shape all year round!

AAA Approved Auto Repair!

Use our AAR Facility Finder and make appointments for all your vehicles!

Every AAA Approved Auto Repair facility has trained technicians to check the following during a multi-point inspection:

Visibility: Windshield, wiper blades and mirrors
Lights: Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, etc.
Warning Systems: Flashers and horn
Fluids: All vital fluids, including oil (if easily accessible), transmission, brake and power steering fluids, washer fluids and antifreeze.
Battery: Cables, terminals, and charge/power, and comprehensive battery test.
Belts: engine belts, air conditioning, power steering, water and air pumps
Hoses: Radiator, heater, power steering, transmission, vacuum and fuel
Tires: tread level and pressure
Filters and fans: Engine, air and cabin filters when readily accessible, and radiator cooling fan.

An analysis of AAA roadside assistance calls found that millions of roadside breakdowns can be avoided with basic vehicle maintenance. Despite that, almost 35% of Americans have skipped or delayed maintenance/service that was recommended by a mechanic.

AAA-NAPA Car Care Month Sweepstakes!

Thanks to all who entered our Sweepstakes for these great prizes.

Grand Prize: A $500 voucher for any service at AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility
1^st Prize: A $250 Visa gift card, courtesy of NAPA
Ten 2nd Prizes: A $75 Visa gift card, courtesy of NAPA
Ten 3rd Prizes: A $50 Shell Gas gift card

We’ll pick our winners from all respondents on November 1, 2019 and notify them by email.

The Car Doctor’s Top Car Care Tips

Get to know your owner’s manual +

Review the vehicle owner’s manual. While this is likely one of the least-read books ever written, it provides all the info you need maintain your vehicle, both to keep it running properly and to maintain the warranty.

Find a good repair shop +

Build a relationship with a trusted repair facility. Some customers want their car to be perfect all the time, while others are willing to let non-safety items wait. Whichever group you’re in, you need to trust your technician, so you know what to expect for service and charges and you feel comfortable with how they treat your vehicle. Over the long haul, a reputable repair shop will save you time and money. (AAA members can find a local Approved Auto Repair facility at AAA.com/AutoRepair, and save 10% on labor charges!)

Fluids +

Fluids are the life’s blood of your vehicle. If they’re allowed to become contaminated or run low, fluids – such as oil, transmission and coolant – can cause catastrophic damage to the components they are designed to protect.

Drive belts and coolant hoses +

Although designed to last much longer than in years’ past, drive belts and hoses will still fail. If a radiator or heater hose leaks, the coolant will run low and the engine will overheat, possibly destroying the engine. If a drive belt breaks, the battery could become discharged and the engine could overheat.

Timing Belts +

Some engines still use rubber timing belts that connect the camshaft and crankshaft inside the engine. Depending on the type of engine, a broken timing belt can cause a wide range of damage. If a timing belt breaks on an interference engine, the engine valves and piston will collide and destroy the engine. On a non-interference engine, the engine won’t sustain damage but will stop running at the most inopportune time, resulting in a tow. Replace the timing belt as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Brakes +

Brake wear is one of the few issues almost totally determined by the driver. In general, most car brakes can last 40,000 miles or more, although aggressive drivers or very cautious drivers can accelerate brake wear. Many vehicles have a warning sensor that creates a high-pitched squeal when the brake linings are almost worn out. Brake condition should be checked periodically by a qualified technician.

Tires +

Tires are critical to the safe operation of a vehicle. A car with new brakes and worn tires will not stop properly. Tires that are worn below 4/32nds of an inch of tread depth can take a dangerously long time to stop in wet weather. Worn tires will affect the overall ride and handling, and reduce gas mileage as well.

Battery +

There is a variety of battery types in today’s vehicles: conventional FLA (flooded lead-acid batteries); EFB (enhanced flooded battery); AGM (glass-mat batteries); even hybrid traction batteries. AGM and EFB batteries are typically used in newer vehicles with stop-start technology. All of these batteries have a recommended lifespan. Make sure you test your car’s battery and replace it with the proper type when necessary.

Whether you’re a “do-it-yourselfer” or leave all your car care to the professionals, there are a few things you should ALWAYS keep an eye on, according to AAA’s Car Doctor, John Paul.

Emergency Kit Contents

Car Care Month is a great time for an annual check of your vehicle’s emergency kit. If you don’t have one, AAA recommends you put one together. Roadside emergencies happen without warning, when you least expect it. An emergency kit can make the wait safer, especially if you break down in winter.

Mobile phone pre-programmed with rescue apps and important phone numbers including family and emergency services
Mobile phone car charger
Drinking water or sports drinks
First-aid kit – including any necessary medication
Non-perishable food for humans and pets
Traction aids (sand, salt, non-clumping cat litter)
Flashlight with extra batteries
Cloth or roll of paper towels
Jumper cables
Warning devices (flares or triangles)
Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench)
Snow shovel
Blankets
Extra warm clothing (gloves, boots, hats, scarves)
Extra window washer solvent
Ice scraper with brush

AAA has a brochure to guide you through the steps should you break down on the side of the road. Click the image to download and keep a copy in your vehicle.