Travel expert’s tips for car maintenance ahead of holiday weekend

BEAVERCREEK — Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer travel. AAA estimates at least one million Americans will be setting of on road trips for the weekend.

If you’re planning a trip and haven’t driven your car much recently AAA said there are some important things to do before you head out on a trip this summer.

“You need to see your car as an athlete,” Troy Cox, district director of AAA club alliance, said. “If an athlete takes a few months off, we’ve been through COVID, your car’s not driving on trips and things like that. When an athlete takes a few months off the day they come back and want to start running again they don’t run 26 miles, they don’t run a marathon.”

>> Kings Island reducing hours due to worker shortage; wages increased for seasonal workers

Cox suggests at least a short one hour round trip to help get your car ready to go. Before heading out he also said take your car to a mechanic you trust or a AAA service center.

“Have your vehicle inspected,” Cox said. “You need to know that everything that is rubber on that vehicle, plastic, well it’s been setting. Rubber is not always as pliable as it should be.”

Properly inflated tires will also help with gas mileage. It is the most expensive Memorial Day weekend gas prices since 2014. Gas is $3.04 per gallon on average nationally and $2.92 per gallon in Ohio on average.

AAA expects to help over 4,800 motorists in Ohio this Memorial Day weekend. Nationwide, AAA Emergency Roadside crews expect to come to the aid of 468,000 motorists over the holiday weekend. Last year, AAA came to the rescue of over 4,400 motorists in Ohio.

>> Trotwood shoplifting suspect caught after car won’t start

“Dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires will be the leading reasons AAA members will experience car trouble,” Cox said. “Majorly have the tires checked, have your brakes checked, have the fluids checked, your wiper blades. Proper air pressure is absolutely needed. Make sure you check your battery. Extreme cold weather is hard on a battery, extreme hot weather is hard on a battery.”

AAA is offering a free oil change for Ohio AAA members who visit any AAA Tire & Service location in the state through June 30. CODE: FREEOIL. Cox also added that even non-members could get a free 51 point inspection for peace of mind before a trip.

©2021 Cox Media Group