WASHINGTON, D. C. (Tuesday, January 22, 2019) – The season’s first single-digit temperature drop and wind chills sent emergency roadside assistance calls soaring, and AAA dispatched its roadside fleet to the scene to rescue thousands of stranded and stalled motorists just in the nick of time.

On Monday, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s emergency roadside assistance volume topped 4,600 calls in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia and topped last year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day call volume by 12.8 percent. The auto club responded to more than 110 battery-related calls in Washington, D.C., 874 in Maryland and 655 in Virginia. The call volume set a 2019 record yesterday in Maryland. As of 1:55 p.m. today (Jan. 22), AAA Mid-Atlantic has responded to 179 calls for service in Washington, D.C. (39% battery-related), 1,656 calls for service in Maryland (47% battery-related) and 983 calls for service in Virginia (44% battery-related).

“Our fleet and contractors within the Mid-Atlantic region have been working tirelessly to rescue stranded motorists throughout the weekend, especially yesterday as the extreme cold temperatures proved damaging so many car batteries” said Bruce Jenkins, Manager of the AAA Mid-Atlantic Club Fleet Depot in Northern Virginia. “Even as requests for assistance soared, our priority is always to get our members back on the road or to safety as quickly as possible.”

Waiting for roadside assistance to rescue you? Here is a quick tip: if your battery does not initially turn the engine over on the first try in the morning, turn the ignition key on and wait one minute before cranking the engine again. This gives the battery chemicals time to jell and energize the battery terminals.

AAA Mid-Atlantic Emergency Roadside Assistance Volume

2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day year-over-year comparison, Monday, January 21, 2019

 (2018 in parenthesis, Increase over 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr Day in red)

Battery-related assistance calls jump with periods of extreme cold. According to AAA’s Automotive Research Center, at 0°F, a car’s battery loses about 60 percent of its strength and at 32°F it loses 35 percent. During cold temperatures starting an engine can take up to twice as much current as needed under normal conditions. While three to five years is a typical life span, various internal and environmental conditions impact a battery’s long term health. Periodic inspection, testing, and cleaning are suggested and monitoring the use of accessories and electronic devices when your car is not running can help maximize its longevity.

“With continued bitter cold expected again today, drivers should make sure their vehicles are prepared with proper levels of antifreeze, a strong battery, and plenty of windshield washer fluid,” noted Jenkins. “Also keep an emergency kit in the trunk should you run into any problems during your commute. Careful preparation is the key to weathering the wrath of Old Man Winter.”

AAA Car Care, Insurance and Travel Centers throughout the Washington, D.C. metro area offer FREE car battery checks.  Motorists can see firsthand whether their car battery is strong enough to withstand the bitter cold.

AAA Car Care Insurance & Travel Stores in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area

Warning signs that you are at risk for a battery related breakdown include the following include: hearing a grinding or clicking sound when you turn on the ignition, your vehicle cranks slowly when attempting to start, your headlights dim when idling but brighten when the engine is revved or your battery is more than three (3) years old.

With AAA Mobile Battery Service, whether you are stranded at roadside or stuck in your driveway, AAA Battery Service Technicians deliver and install your new battery on-the-spot. Dead Car Battery? Get a FREE instant quote by visiting AAA.com OR Call Mobile Battery Service Today at 1-800-AAA-HELP. AAA’s priority is always to get members back on the road or to safety as quickly as possible, but not every situation is an emergency. Online scheduling for AAA Mobile Battery Service is now available in select markets by visiting AAA.com, so you can schedule service at a time that is most convenient to have AAA deliver and install a new car battery for you. AAA has been North America’s premier roadside assistance provider for more than 100 years.

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 58 million members nationwide and nearly 79,000 members in the District of Columbia.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit  https://aaa.com