As if the holidays aren’t stressful enough when you’re traveling out of town – imagine breaking down and not knowing why or where to bring your vehicle! The added costs of vehicle repairs around the holidays are enough to make anyone go crazy. According to AAA, travel breakdowns around the holidays are more common than most people think but there are some things you can do to avoid a breakdown when you’re heading out to see family and friends near and far.

Data from AAA reveals that millions of roadside breakdowns each year could actually be prevented with simple preventative maintenance. A recent survey found that about 35 percent of Americans have skipped or put off service and repairs that were recommended by a mechanic, auto repair shop, or manufacturer’s service interval schedule. The holidays can be hectic and expensive and while we understand how people could avoid these routine maintenance services, we also know firsthand just how important they could be when avoiding bigger problems down the road… maybe way down the road in a different town or state.

Delaying routine maintenance will ultimately result in paying high repair costs but can also put a damper on enjoying the holidays. In 2014 alone, AAA responded to more than 29 million calls for roadside assistance, with the majority 17 million due to battery failure, flat tires and keys locked inside the vehicle.  AAA recommends that drivers have their vehicle’s battery tested before heading out on a long trip during the holidays as well as when it reaches three years of age and on an annual basis thereafter.  According to a recent survey, two thirds of Americans have never had their car battery tested prior to their vehicle failing to start. When it comes to your tires, have a repair shop check your tread and inflation before you drive a long distance. An estimated 60 percent of Americans do not check their tire pressure regularly and this results in flat tires or poor fuel economy. Be sure to have your tires inspected as well as your spare tire to make sure they are safe and ready to handle your holiday travel needs.

Other common holiday vehicle breakdowns include brake failure, transmission problems, engine-related issues and fuel issues. AAA towed more than two million vehicles for engine-related issues and an additional 600,000 vehicles for transmission failure plus another 235,000 vehicles were towed due to brake system failures. Wow!

To avoid a holiday breakdown this year, we would love to check your vehicle and perform any preventative maintenance you may need. Let us check your tires, perform a brake inspection, change your oil or test your battery. Happy holidays!