Auto Club Lists Top Ten Reasons for Car Breakdowns.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 12, 1998--Poorly maintained tires, batteries and vehicle fluids are among the 10 most common reasons for vehicle breakdowns, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.

Based on roadside assistance data from Auto Club contracted tow truck operators, the Club's Top Ten List of maintenance-related car breakdown causes (not necessarily ranked in order of frequency) are:

1)  Not rotating, aligning or inflating tires
2)  Ignoring brake noises or warnings
3)  Ignoring fluid leaks
4)  Ignoring dashboard warning signs or gauges
5)  Worn battery or bad battery connection
6)  Worn or cracked belts or hoses/loose hose or belt connection
7)  Not checking or changing fluids
8)  Worn universal/constant velocity joints on drive shaft
9)  Ignoring noise or vibrations from water pump
10) Not changing fuel filter

"Inadequate car maintenance means increased business for tow truck operators, but it also means costly delays and repairs for motorists," said Dean Holte, manager of the Emergency Road Service program. "The Auto Club wants to remind drivers during National Car Care Month in October that a little time and money spent on regular maintenance goes a long way toward reducing the chances of a frustrating vehicle breakdown."

The Auto Club's Emergency Road Service department dispatched more than 1 million calls in July and August to assist Southern California members, making it the busiest season on record for the program.

While some Auto Club service callers need help with problems unrelated to car maintenance (such as locking keys in a vehicle), more than three-quarters of roadside assistance calls involve towing, battery problems, difficulty starting the car, or flat tires. Many of the problems could be prevented with proper maintenance.

"Car owners who don't properly rotate or align their tires can cause premature tread wear leading to blowouts or flat tires," explained Steve Mazor, the Club's principal automotive engineer. "Water pump failure can lead to an overheated engine."

Brakes don't usually fail suddenly -- they generally give warnings through noises or warning lights, added Mazor. Neglected fluids, hoses and belts can lead to engine breakdowns or overheating, and universal joints require regular inspections and lubrication to help prevent a breakage that could cripple the drive train. Fuel filters also need periodic replacement because a blockage will prevent fuel from reaching the engine.

"The vehicle owner's manual is the most important tool a motorist has for preventing breakdowns," Mazor said. "By following the inspection and replacement recommendations in the manual, drivers can keep their vehicles on the road and out of the repair shop."

More than one in four motorists experienced a car breakdown in the past 12 months, according to a national study conducted for AAA. The survey also showed that while three-quarters of all motorists feel they are familiar or very familiar with maintenance requirements for their vehicles, only about half of them regularly followed those recommendations.

During Car Care Month in October, Southern California drivers -- whether they are Auto Club members or not -- can receive free 38-point vehicle inspections offered by more than 700 Auto Club "Approved Auto Repair" facilities. The AAR garages undergo annual inspections by Auto Club experts to ensure that they provide quality service from highly trained technicians using proper equipment.

To schedule an appointment, motorists should contact a local Auto Club office or visit the Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com to find the closest participating Approved Auto Repair garage.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, Auto Club members benefit by the organization's emergency road service, financial products, travel agency and trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs, insurance products and services, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs and legislative advocacy. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.