PHILADELPHIA, PA (June 29, 2021) – The season’s latest heat wave has temperatures and Member calls to AAA Mid-Atlantic soaring.  AAA Mid-Atlantic roadside assistance crews have responded to more than 10,000 member calls for assistance in the Philadelphia 5-county area during the first three heatwaves of the season as the third heat wave continues into this week.  Of those calls for roadside assistance, 40 percent were for dead car batteries and flat tires that had succumb to the extreme heat.  AAA urges motorists to have their car batteries and tires checked ahead of summer road trip plans ahead, especially as road trip volume is expected to reach record numbers for the Independence Day holiday weekend.

“The effect this kind of weather can have on your car is cumulative,” says Jana L. Tidwell, Manager of Public and Government Affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic. “While many vehicles may survive this latest heat wave, motorists may not be so lucky as the summer rolls on.  AAA urges motorists to have car batteries and tires checked to ensure safety and prevent unexpected breakdowns.”

Of the more than 10,000 roadside assistance calls to AAA Mid-Atlantic in the Philadelphia 5-county during this season’s excessive heat, nearly 2,500 calls (24 percent) were for dead batteries and more than 1,700 calls (17 percent) were for flat tires.

AAA Mid-Atlantic Philadelphia 5-County 2021 Heat Wave Roadside Assistance Recap (through June 28)

• AAA Mid-Atlantic responded to more than 10,000 roadside assistance calls
• Battery and tire calls account for more than 40 percent of all calls (4,200 calls)
• 24 percent of total calls were for dead car batteries (2,400 calls)
• 17 percent of total calls were for flat tires (1,700 calls)

Extreme heat exacts a toll on vehicles, especially over an extended period of time.  AAA recommends motorists make sure their vehicles are prepared for the summer months. Here are some common heat-related car problems, and what motorists can do to help prevent them:

Preventive Summer Vehicle Maintenance Tips

• Batteries - Heat kills batteries. Make sure you have a strong battery that is up to the challenge by having your battery tested.
• Tires - Keep your tires at normal pressure. Soft tires generate heat, which can lead to a blowout.
• Fluids - Check all fluids including the coolant level in the overflow tank and top off as needed. If the engine is cool, check the level in the radiator as well. Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot, you can be seriously scalded.
• Coolant - Motorists should have the cooling system flushed and new coolant installed when recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Depending on the type of coolant used, this is typically necessary every two to five years.

The Great American Road Trip returns as car travel is expected to reach record levels for the Independence Day holiday weekend, with more than 595,000 Philadelphia-area residents expected to drive, 42% more than in 2020 and 6% more than 2019.

Make Sure Your Car is Road Trip-Ready

Before hitting the road, AAA reminds motorists to plan their route in advance and ensure their vehicle is ready, to help avoid a breakdown along the way. AAA expects to rescue more than 460,000 Americans at the roadside this Independence Day weekend. In the Philly 5 county area, there are eight AAA Car Care Centers where car care professionals are ready to help drivers get their vehicles ready to hit the road for the holiday. These locations are also offering free “Great American Road Trip Vehicle Health Inspection” to both members and non-members through the end of July. This free inspection includes tire, brake, battery, exterior lights and fluid level safety checks. Appointments can be scheduled at AAA.com/CarCare.

AAA Car Care Insurance & Travel Center Locations in the Philadelphia Area:

Pennsylvania

South Philadelphia - 1601 South Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA
Clifton Heights - 5233 West Baltimore Avenue, Clifton Heights, PA
Downingtown - 105 Quarry Road, Downingtown, PA
Langhorne – 516 N Oxford Valley Road, Langhorne, PA
Wayne - 849 West Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA
Warminster - 602 York Road, Warminster, PA
West Chester - 707 East Gay Street, West Chester, PA
Willow Grove - 2506 West Moreland Road, Willow Grove, PA

New Jersey
Marlton - 1041 Route 73, N. Marlton, NJ
Mt. Laurel - 4010 Dearborn Circle, Mt. Laurel, NJ

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 62 million members nationwide and more than three million members in Pennsylvania.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  AAA is a non-stock, membership corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, access a COVID travel restriction map, find local gas prices and electric vehicle charging stations, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information on joining or renewing a Membership, visit www.AAA.com.