Tips from travel experts on vehicle maintenance before the holiday weekend

BEAVERCREEK - Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the summer trip. AAA estimates that at least one million Americans will take part in road trips over the weekend.

If you're planning a trip and haven't ridden a lot in your car lately, AAA said there are a few important things to do before you go on a trip this summer.

"You have to see your car as an athlete," said Troy Cox, district president of the AAA Clubs Alliance. "When an athlete has a few months off, we've gone through COVID, his car doesn't travel and the like. If an athlete takes a few months off the day they return and wants to run again, they won't run 26 miles, they won't run a marathon.

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Cox suggests at least a short one-hour round trip so you can get your car ready. Before leaving, he also said to take his car to a trusted mechanic or AAA service center.

"Have your vehicle inspected," said Cox. "You have to know that everything that is rubber on this vehicle, plastic, needed it. Rubber isn't always as flexible as it should be. ""

Correctly inflated tires also help reduce fuel consumption. This is the most expensive Memorial Day weekend gasoline price since 2014. Gasoline is $ 3.04 per gallon nationwide and $ 2.92 per gallon in Canada.

AAA expects to serve more than 4,800 Ohio drivers this Memorial Day weekend. Across the country, AAA road rescue teams plan to assist 468,000 drivers over the holiday weekend. Last year, AAA saved more than 4,400 drivers in Ohio.

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"Dead batteries, locks and flat tires are the main reasons AAA members have problems with their cars," said Cox. "Mainly get the tires checked, the brakes checked, the fluids checked, the wiper blades checked. Adequate air pressure is essential. Be sure to check your battery. Extreme cold stresses the battery, extremely hot weather stresses the battery. ""

AAA is offering a free oil change to AAA Ohio members who visit an AAA Tire & Service store in the state by June 30th. Cox added that even non-members can get a free 51-point inspection for peace of mind before traveling.

© 2021 Cox Media Group

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