Annual Car Care Fair Kicks Off AAA Car Care Month

ROCHESTER, N.Y., September 25, 2009 – AAA is helping motorists ensure their vehicles are up to par before the winter season strikes by offering free 35-point vehicle maintenance inspections and battery testing during their annual AAA Car Care Fair on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at Ridgeway Sunoco, 1615 Long Pond Road in Rochester, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

“The winter season is just around the corner and many vehicles are in need of preventive maintenance before the weather turns colder,” said Tom Chestnut, President/CEO of AAA Western and Central New York. “AAA’s automotive experts are available to help motorists properly prepare their vehicles for winter.”

The event also kicks off AAA’s October Car Care month. Each year, AAA offers vehicle maintenance inspections by expert automotive technicians to help drivers prepare for winter conditions. Items to be inspected include tire pressure, battery condition, windshield wipers, brakes, lights, belts, and hoses.

In addition to the September 26th AAA Car Care Fair event, each of AAA’s Approved Auto Repair facilities will perform the same 35-point vehicle maintenance inspection by appointment at no cost to AAA members throughout the entire month of October.

Additionally, in an effort to assist motorists AAA is offering the following automotive winter preparation tips:

• Have your vehicle inspected thoroughly to ensure that your tires are properly inflated, fluid levels are full, front and rear lights are operating, and belts and hoses are in good condition.
• Check your battery. The most common cause of cold-weather breakdowns is a weak or dead battery. Good indicators that your battery is weak and may need replacement include a starter motor that cranks the engine slowly when the ignition key is turned or headlights that dim noticeably when the engine speed drops to idle.
• As a safety precaution, equip your vehicle with a winter driving kit that includes a fully-charged cellular phone for emergencies, flashlight with fresh batteries, small snow shovel and brush, traction mats, ice scraper, booster cables, blanket, flares or reflective triangle warning devices, heavy gloves, window washing solvent, and a first aid kit.
• Before you drive long distances, check the weather conditions along your route.

For more information on AAA’s Car Care Fair or AAA’s Approved Auto Repair network, call (800) 836-CLUB (2582), visit any AAA Travel and Insurance Center, or click www.AAA.com/auto.

As Upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA provides nearly 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.