WASHINGTON, D. C. (Monday, October 28, 2019) ––“Winter is coming.” The English language has a rich “collection of synonyms, near-synonyms” and loan-words relating to and describing winter, such as “winterish, hiemal, hibernal, brumal or brumation,” explains Merriam-Webster. Well, you don’t have to be a “wordie,” or a “lover of words,” to know October is “Fall Car Care Month.” Word has it, during the waning days of October AAA is offering area motorists special car care incentives, including free vehicle health inspections, at its Car Care Centers across the Washington metro area, as it has throughout the month.

You have our word on it. The certified automotive technicians at AAA Car Care Centers around the Washington metro area are advising consumers, motorists and vehicle owners in the region that October is the ideal time to prep your vehicle for the rigors of winter driving before winter sets in. Other rare words for winter include “apricity,” which describes “the warmth of the sun in winter,” plus, “subnivean,” which means “situated or occurring under the snow.” The idiom “seasonal affective disorder” describes “the depression that tends to recur chiefly during the late fall and winter.” Also known as SAD, it is “associated with shorter hours of daylight.” True to word, the free vehicle check-up will cure the pre-winter blues and blahs.

Enrich your vocabulary, and prepare your vehicle for winter now. By definition, at AAA Car Care Centers across the Washington metro area, the word “free” in the phrase “free vehicle health inspections” really does mean “free,” that is to say “gratis” (or “without payment or charge”). That’s a key word because annual vehicle maintenance can cost an average $1,341. That’s according to the latest AAA’s Your Driving Costs  report. “Word up!” Being proactive can help keep that cost down. 

So far this year, AAA has dispatched its roadside rescuers to save the day for 67,000 drivers in the District; rescue 475,000 stalled motorists in Maryland; and to respond to over 355,000 SOS calls from vehicle operators in distress in Virginia. Now wintertime awaits. While most people know to call AAA when their vehicle breaks down, they may not know that the same 115 year-old company, that’s trusted because its “word is its bond,” has quietly grown into a major auto repair company year-round and in the shorter daylight hours.

“Growing into a major provider of car care repair services is an instinctive fit for an organization that assists thousands of motorists every day,” according to Tom Wiedemann, CEO of AAA Club Alliance. “We want to build on a legacy that is AAA, which means helping our members get where they need to go as we continue our legendary roadside assistance and other new ways of meeting members’ mobility and lifestyle needs,” said Wiedemann.

Here is a statistic that will chill your soul, vehicles 10 years and older are twice as likely to end up stranded on the side of the road compared to newer vehicles, and on top of that, the odds of needing a tow to a repair facility quadruples, especially at wintertide, according to an analysis of AAA roadside data. It is enough to cause the onset of the car breakdown blues. Worry-free driving once cold weather and winter driving conditions approach may depend upon whether drivers follow simple steps to make sure the vehicle is ready. Some checks and preparations can be performed by a car owner in less than an hour. Others should be performed by a certified technician.  To celebrate October Car Care Month, AAA is offering special promotions at AAA Car Care, Insurance, and Travel (CCIT) Centers in the Washington metro area, including:

• FREE Vehicle Health Inspection.
• FREE Brake Inspection.
• FREE Battery Checks.
• FREE Alignment Check. 
• FREE Tire Pressure Checks.
• $100 off on select sets of four General Tires.
• $50 off on the purchase of four tires, or save $20 on two tires.
• $25 off on all brake packages.

*Restrictions apply. See Service Advisor for details.

As the weather cools, and with half of cars on the road more than 10 years old, motorists should complete a seasonal vehicle checkup to maintain safety and maximize efficiency before “old man winter gets his horn and starts blowing.” For example, a fully charged battery in tip-top condition is required to start a vehicle in brumal or cold weather. Be sure to check tire inflation pressure on all four tires and the spare more frequently during the fall and winter to ensure you are able to go and stop on “subnivean” or snowy roads.

 It is another “lexical” iteration. All things go “winter-ward.” Each AAA Car Care Center offers trusted services such as vehicle maintenance, diagnostics and repairs such as tires, brakes, tune-ups, air conditioning and cooling systems, as well as access to expert travel advice and insurance services all under one roof serving as a natural extension of the auto club’s original mission for its members and the public.

“AAA is expanding its auto repair network and making significant investments in local auto repair locations to help bring motorists convenience and peace of mind, when it comes to their vehicles,” said Ed Tobler, Senior Vice President, Car Care Retail Operations, AAA Club Alliance. “We are in the communities to serve, bringing the same trusted brand motorists know for roadside rescues to the repair of their automobiles.”

AAA Club Alliance serves more than 6 million members in 13 states and the District of Columbia, including, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Visit www.AAA.com/CarCare for more information, to find a location near you or to schedule an appointment. Be prepared for winter.

Follow us on Twitter: @AAADCNews

Like us on Facebook: AAA Mid-Atlantic News

Washington, D.C. Mailing Address:
1405 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20005

AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 60 million members nationwide and nearly 82,000 members in the District of Columbia.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit  https://aaa.com