WASHINGTON, D. C. (Monday, June 12, 2017) ––Since midnight, roadside emergency crews from AAA Mid-Atlantic have rescued more than 1,500 area motorists stranded or stalled in the extreme heat in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Many of the vehicles were disabled by batteries that failed to crank, leaving the drivers and their passengers stranded on the side of the highway and even in their carports and driveways. Given the temperatures that are expected to rise to the mid-nineties this afternoon, and tomorrow, and the hazardous weather conditions, area motorists are urged to take extra precaution for their safety and the safety of their passengers. Urgent appeals for help will increase with the humidity and heat.

Throughout the weekend, the SOS call volume has mounted to the AAA Emergency Roadside Assistance switchboard. From 12:00 last night, AAA has responded to 109 rescues in Washington, D.C. including 29 for battery-related issues. In Maryland, AAA responded to 823 calls including 171 for battery-related issues. In Virginia, for example, AAA emergency roadside assistance personnel responded to 632 rescues with 144 regarding battery-related issues.

“In the extreme heat, having a disabled vehicle can be more than just an inconvenience, it can be dangerous, especially for children or seniors,” advised Bruce Jenkins, Manager, AAA Mid-Atlantic Emergency Roadside Assistance Fleet Services. “It’s critical, a matter of life and death, in fact, that all drivers take every precaution to protect themselves – and their passengers.”

AAA urges all parents and caregivers to do these three things:

•     Never leave a child, an elder, the infirmed, or a pet in a vehicle unattended.

•     Make it a habit to look in the back seat EVERY time you exit the car.

•     If you ever see a child left alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 right away.    

Monday afternoon’s high is expected to hit 96 degrees Fahrenheit and feel like 102. As a result, AAA Mid-Atlantic is expecting an increase in emergency roadside service call volume, as older batteries conk out, tires blow out and minor car troubles become major ones due to the heat. Yes, there is a direct relationship between the air temperature and relative humidity and the heat index, notes the National Weather Service. It is a fact of life, “extreme temperatures have a direct correlation to more breakdowns on the highway.”

This summer, AAA expects to rescue 7 million American drivers, with the majority facing battery, lock and tire-related issues.  A recent AAA survey reveals that 4 out of 10 American drivers are unprepared for emergency breakdown situations.  Under-the-hood components such as belts and hoses are also stressed by extreme heat. AAA is urging drivers to make sure their car emergency kit is well-stocked, have their battery tested, engine fluids checked, and tires inspected to make certain their cars are road-ready.

Overheating Engine
Automobile engines tend to work extra hard in the summer heat, and it is the cooling system’s job to protect the engine from overheating. Additives in the coolant protect the radiator and internal engine components against wear and corrosion. Over time, engine coolant becomes contaminated and its protective additives are depleted. That’s why the system should be flushed and the coolant replaced periodically as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Older coolants require changing every two years or 24,000 miles, but most modern formulations are good for at least five years and 50,000 miles.

Check your owner’s manual to determine the service interval appropriate for your vehicle. Between flushes, make sure the coolant is filled to the proper levels by checking the overflow reservoir. If necessary, top off the reservoir with a 50/50 mix of water and the coolant type specified by the vehicle manufacturer. CAUTION! – Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot – boiling coolant under pressure could cause serious burns.

Other fluids help keep vehicles running cool as well. Most vehicle fluids don’t just lubricate, they also serve as coolants by helping carry heat away from critical components. When fluid levels are low, there is less fluid to carry the heat away and this cooling effect is reduced, increasing the possibility of overheating the engine. Drivers should check all vehicle fluids including motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid to ensure they are filled to the appropriate levels and changed as needed.

Overheating Battery
Heat and vibration are a battery’s two worst enemies, leading to internal breakdown and eventual failure. While drivers cannot do much about the heat, they can make sure their battery is securely mounted in place to minimize vibration and help prolong battery life. Double-check that all the nuts and bolts securing your vehicle battery are tight and that the battery does not have room to jostle around.

If a vehicle’s battery is more than three years old, it’s a good idea to have it tested by a trained technician to determine how much longer it will last. AAA members can request a AAA Mobile Battery Service technician come to them and test their battery absolutely free of charge. Should the battery need replacement, the technician can usually replace it immediately on location. For more information on the AAA Mobile Battery Service or to request a visit, go to AAA.com/Battery.

Air Conditioning Failure
If a car’s air conditioning is not maintaining the interior temperature as well as it did in the past, it may mean the refrigerant level is low. Have the air conditioning system checked by a certified technician and refill the refrigerant if necessary. Many automotive climate control systems today are equipped with a cabin filter that prevents outside debris from entering. Over time, these filters can get clogged up with dust and debris, reducing airflow to the air conditioning system. This filter should be inspected and replaced annually to ensure maximum airflow and cooling during the summer months.

Blown Tires
Driving on under-inflated tires not only affects the handling and braking of a vehicle, it also can cause tires to overheat and increase the likelihood of a blowout. This likelihood increases even more when road temperatures are extremely high. Tires should be checked when the car has not been driven recently, and they should be inflated to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer—not the number molded into the tire sidewall. Recommended tire pressures can be found in the owner’s manual or on a tire information sticker normally located on the driver’s door jamb.

Follow us on Twitter: @AAADCNews

Like us on Facebook: AAA Mid-Atlantic News

Washington, D.C. Mailing Address:
1405 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20005

AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members nationwide and nearly 78,000 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