TOWSON, MD (October 4, 2017) –– October is Car Care Month and AAA Mid-Atlantic is advising drivers to prepare their vehicle now before Old Man Winter is knocking on the door. Vehicle maintenance is key and there are a few simple things every driver can do to make sure their car is road-ready for the winter ahead.

“Learning how to handle common maintenance issues is beneficial to anyone who gets behind the wheel,” said Jim Spires, Regional Director of AAA’s Car Care Centers in Annapolis, Crofton, and Glen Burnie. “Proper maintenance can extend the life of your vehicle and help prevent costly repairs.”

In the past, vehicle maintenance needs were relatively simple and consistent across automakers. Today’s engineering advancements require less maintenance at less frequent intervals. Examples include oil-change intervals now recommended at 5,000 to 10,000 or more miles, transmission fluids designed to last 100,000 miles and sealed batteries that never need to have fluid added. Even with these advancements, vehicles still require routine services that are important to maintaining the performance and safety of the vehicle.

October is the perfect month for motorists to make sure their vehicles are winter ready. The weather is mild, and there is plenty of time to deal with the potentially costly repairs before winter weather sets in.

To celebrate October Car Care Month, AAA Mid-Atlantic will be hosting Car Care Events on October 7 from 9am – 1pm at AAA Car Care Insurance Travel Stores in Maryland. The free event, open to the public, offers special promotions, vehicle maintenance, safe driving tips, giveaways, and refreshments. More information can be found at AAA.com/Events.

AAA’s trained auto technicians will conduct complimentary maintenance, tire pressure and battery checks. The auto club recommends motorists call ahead to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins will be accepted based on availability.

AAA Car Care Insurance Travel Stores in Maryland

To ensure your vehicle is properly maintained, AAA recommends that motorists:

• Read the maintenance requirements set by your car’s manufacturer in the owner’s manual. There is no longer a “standard” maintenance schedule for vehicle services – including brake fluid. Each automaker has different requirements, making your owner’s manual the most accurate resource.
• Inspect brakes as recommended in your owner’s manual, or sooner if you notice pulsations, pulling, noises while braking or longer stopping distance. Correct minor brake problems promptly. Check your owner’s manual to see if the brake fluid should be changed at a specific interval. If no interval is specified for brake fluid service, AAA suggests flushing the system every two years or anytime the brake system is serviced.
• Follow the recommendations of in-vehicle maintenance reminders, as they have the best information to determine maintenance needs for your vehicle because they account for how you actually drive. However, many reminder systems do not specifically cover maintenance operations that need to be performed on a time or mileage basis – such as brake fluid and coolant flushes or timing-belt replacement.
• Every car requires routine maintenance and repair so work with a local repair shop you trust. The best time to find a mechanic or auto repair shop is before you need one. Start by asking friends and family for recommendations of repair shops and mechanics. Visit AAA.com to find nearby AAA Car Care Centers and AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, take your vehicle to your top candidate shop for routine maintenance. While there, talk with the employees and take a look at the facility and consider the following questions:

• Does the facility have up-to-date equipment?
• Were you offered a written estimate?
• Does the shop offer a nationwide warranty on parts and labor?
• Are customer areas clean, comfortable and well organized?  

When having your car serviced, follow the factory recommended maintenance schedule to avoid under- or over-maintaining your vehicle. Oil changes, tire rotations, changing transmission fluid, and replacing an air filter are the types of routine maintenance recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer. The maintenance schedule for these services and more can be found in the vehicle owner’s manual.

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 58 million members nationwide and more than 937,000 members in Maryland.  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 AAA.com.