AAA: Less maintenance means more breakdowns

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

As we approach the summer travel season, the American Automobile Assn. says it anticipates “coming to the rescue of 7.3 million stranded motorists this summer. During the months of June, July and August, AAA expects a rise of nearly 1.5 percent in roadside assistance requests over the same time frame in 2008.”

Really? An increase, despite the general reduction in miles driven? “AAA believes a combination of lower gas prices, consumers holding onto their vehicles longer and some motorists cutting regular maintenance from their budgets will drive an increase in the need for roadside assistance this summer,” said AAA Automotive Vice President Marshall L. Doney.

At least one independent mechanic we spoke to thinks the lack of regular maintenance is the leading factor. “We’ve never had so many cars come in on a wrecker,” said Robert Mitchell, who runs Mitchell’s Garage in Orlando, Fla. “People are letting things go with their cars until it’s too late, and it breaks down on them.”

AAA says it is is able to remedy problems at the roadside two out of three times, avoiding the need for an inconvenient vehicle tow. However, the motor club finds the number of motorists who suffer major vehicle problems that do require a tow usually increases during the summer months. This summer, AAA estimates, it will tow nearly 3.2 million vehicles.

“Many of the problems that end up with the vehicle on the back of a tow truck could have been prevented with regular maintenance,” Doney said.

-- Steven C.Smith