April is Car Care Month and the AAA is encouraging all vehicle owners to keep up with car care basics and help prevent unexpected breakdowns.
In 2024, AAA received more than 27 million emergency roadside service calls across the United States. Of those calls, the majority of vehicles required towing – roughly 13 million – or were experiencing battery issues, approximately seven million.
“Car care month is a great reminder to keep up with vehicle maintenance,” said Cliff Ruud, managing director of Automotive for AAA. “We get a lot of calls about towing and battery problems that could have been avoided had these vehicles been maintained. To avoid costly, inconvenient, and perhaps unsafe breakdowns, we really encourage drivers to stay on top of their car’s health.”
The AAA has offered the following car care tips to drivers:
- Vehicle inspections - AAA Approved Auto Repair shops offer a free vehicle inspection with a paid repair along with other types of service.
- Stay alert – to sounds, smells, or fluids leaking from the car. Ignoring these warning signs could lead to a significant repair that could have been avoided otherwise.
- Check for recalls – easily check if a vehicle is affected by a recall by locating the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which can be found on a windshield or driver-side doorjamb. Visit gov/Recalls to search for any open safety recalls on a vehicle.
- Maintenance checkups – pick a day that’s easy to remember and mark on a calendar to check tire pressure, tire condition, and fluid levels like oil, coolant, and windshield washer. If needed, top off any low fluids and inflate tires to the recommended level. Check out: Do It Yourself “DIY” Car Care
