AAA Mid-Atlantic: Sub-Freezing Temperatures Killed Car Batteries this Weekend; Highest 2020 AAA Roadside Assistance Volume Came Tuesday

AAA: Dead car batteries accounted for more than 30 percent of holiday weekend roadside assistance call volume in Philadelphia 5-county area; highest 2020 single-day call volume set on Tuesday, January 21 with nearly 1,700 calls for service.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, (Wednesday, January 22, 2020) – AAA, the premier roadside assistance provider for more than 100 years, says the season’s first sub-freezing temperature drop and wind chills sent emergency roadside assistance calls soaring Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the auto club saw requests for emergency roadside service climb to the highest level so far in 2020 – AAA Mid-Atlantic’s emergency roadside assistance volume topped nearly 1,700 calls in the Philadelphia 5-county area.  The auto club responded to nearly 700 battery-related calls, also the highest volume for battery calls in 2020.  Over the course of the extended Martin Luther King holiday weekend, dead car batteries accounted for over 30 percent of total AAA roadside assistance  call volume.

Always there for motorists, the auto club has been working around the clock to help motorists whose car batteries were not strong enough to withstand the extended sub-freezing temperatures that have blanketed the region throughout the long holiday weekend.

“Our fleet and contractors within the Mid-Atlantic region have been working tirelessly to rescue stranded motorists throughout the long weekend - especially yesterday - as the extreme cold temperatures proved damaging to so many car batteries,” said Jana Tidwell, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.  “Even as requests for assistance soared, our priority is always to get our members back on the road or to safety as quickly as possible.”

AAA Mid-Atlantic Emergency Roadside Assistance Volume – Philadelphia 5-County Area

January 17-21, 2020 – Martin Luther King Weekend

Battery-related assistance calls jump with periods of extreme cold. According to AAA’s Automotive Research Center, at 0°F, a car’s battery loses about 60 percent of its strength and at 32°F it loses 35 percent.  During cold temperatures starting an engine can take up to twice as much current as needed under normal conditions.  While three to five years is a typical life span, various internal and environmental conditions impact a battery’s long term health.  Periodic inspection, testing, and cleaning are suggested and monitoring the use of accessories and electronic devices when your car is not running can help maximize its longevity.

“With sub-freezing temperatures expected most evenings through next week, drivers should make sure their vehicles are prepared with proper levels of antifreeze, a strong battery, properly inflated tires, and plenty of windshield washer fluid,” noted Tidwell.  “Also keep an emergency kit in the trunk should you run into any problems during your commute. Careful preparation is the key to weathering the wrath of Old Man Winter.”

AAA Car Care, Insurance and Travel Centers throughout the Philadelphia-area offer FREE car battery checks.  Motorists can see firsthand whether their car battery is strong enough to withstand the bitter cold. 

AAA Car Care Center Locations:

• WARMINSTER – 602 York Road (Bucks County)
• LANGHORNE – 516 N Oxford Valley Road (Bucks County)
• DOWNINGTOWN – 105 Quarry Road (Chester County)
• WEST CHESTER – 707 E. Gay Street (Chester County)
• CLIFTON HEIGHTS – 5233 West Baltimore Road (Delaware County)
• WAYNE – 849 Lancaster Avenue (Delaware County)
• WILLOW GROVE – 2506 W. Moreland Road (Montgomery County)
• SOUTH PHILADELPHIA – 1601 South Columbus Boulevard (Philadelphia County)

Warning signs that you are at risk for a battery related breakdown include the following include: hearing a grinding or clicking sound when you turn on the ignition, your vehicle cranks slowly when attempting to start, your headlights dim when idling but brighten when the engine is revved or your battery is more than three (3) years old.

Cold temperatures wreak havoc on car batteries, sending AAA roadside assistance calls soaring.  With AAA Mobile Battery Service, whether you are stranded at roadside or stuck in your driveway, AAA Battery Service Technicians deliver and install your new battery on-the-spot.  Dead Car Battery? Get a FREE instant quote by visiting AAA.com OR Call Mobile Battery Service Today at 1-800-AAA-HELP.

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Mailing Address:
7777 Brewster Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19159

AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 60 million members nationwide and more than 3.2 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.  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 www.AAA.com.