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AAA Members receive a free vehicle maintenance inspection upon request with any paid service at a nearby AAA-owned Car Care Center or AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, a 36-month/36,000-mile guarantee on repairs at AAA-owned Car Care locations, and a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty at AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities. Members also receive a 10% discount on repair labor (save up to $75).
There’s no doubt about it. Summer is one of the most popular times of the year to travel. The kids are out of school, and the weather is warm and sunny, making it a great time to take a day trip, weekend getaway or full-blown road trip.
Before you go, it’s important to prepare for unexpected delays. Extreme heat, roadway hazards, severe weather and a weak battery can turn your fun vacation into an unplanned extended roadside stay. Making sure your vehicle is equipped with the tools needed to keep you safe and comfortable if the unexpected occurs is essential. That’s why you should always carry a fully stocked summer car survival kit with you. And be sure to store in a durable storage bin, protected from the elements.
General wear and tear can cause your vehicle to experience mechanical issues any time of year, but summer comes with intense seasonal challenges that put additional stress on your vehicle. Extreme heat can weaken your battery, cause your engine to overheat or even contribute to tire blowouts. Additionally, certain regions are prone to extreme summer thunderstorms that create hazardous driving conditions and could leave you stranded on a rural roadside waiting for help. This is where your summer car survival kit comes in handy. But why? What’s in this kit that makes it so handy or special?
Unfortunately, one’s inner mechanic doesn’t rise to every occasion, and you end up sitting in a puddle of your own sweat because your engine overheated, and you can’t run the AC, or you’re trapped in your car until the rain clears enough for you to walk somewhere with a better cell signal to get assistance. If these items aren’t enough to help you get your vehicle back on the road yourself, you will at least be prepared to wait for a bit.
If you’re a DIYer who only goes to a repair shop when necessary, take note: AAA Members save 10% off the retail price and earn NAPA Rewards at NAPA Auto Parts, both sitewide and in-store, on thousands of automotive products. Plus, save $22 off retail pricing on AAA vehicle batteries.
Save NowIn an emergency, it’s imperative to take care of yourself. Making sure you have something to eat and drink while stranded will help you sustain your energy while you wait. Battery backups for your phone will help keep it charged so that you’re reachable by roadside assistance, family or anyone else you’ve called for assistance. These items include:
When you’re poking around under the hood or hiking through the brush in search of a cell signal, you could end up with some bumps and bruises. A fully stocked first aid kit can help you treat minor injuries while you wait for help. It should include:
If you’re experiencing a slow-to-crank engine, clicking sound at start-up, dim headlights or battery corrosion or cracks/bulges, replace your car battery before it fails and leaves you stranded.
Get a QuoteJumper cables get their own category because they are a great all-season tool to keep in your vehicle. Heat and cold can both shorten your battery’s life and increase the risk of a battery failure. If you’re stuck and need a jump, this is a simple solution to get you back on the road if you’re able to flag someone down to assist.
Even if you’re a AAA Member with AAA Mobile Car Battery Service to give you a jump or sell you a new battery and install it onsite, it’s important to keep a set of jumper cables in your car—even if it’s to help another driver without AAA whose battery died.
Sometimes the only thing stranding you is something small that you can fix yourself. Keeping a small tool kit handy with these items in it could save you from a wait.
Summer is hot, rainy and buggy. The last thing you want is to be stuck roadside getting a sunburn, drenched by rain or eaten alive by bugs. You have to protect yourself from the elements, and these items will help.
You know you better than anyone. If you and your family had to sit and wait for a long time, what would you want access to (in addition to a fully charged phone)? Here are some items to consider:
A roadside emergency can strike at any time. It’s important to make sure your emergency kit is fully stocked with supplies well in advance of an emergency. To do this, it helps to check your kit twice a year.
Some of the items in your kit are good to have year-round, while others make more sense seasonally. If you’re heading into summer, remove any items specific to your winter car survival kit and replace them with your seasonal summer essentials. When summer is over, do another inspection going into winter.
Here's what to look for:
If emergencies were predictable, everyone could avoid them. Unfortunately, they usually happen without warning. The best thing you can do is prepare. Putting careful thought into your summer car survival kit could make the difference between a frustrating breakdown and a mildly inconvenient roadside wait. Remember, though, this isn’t a one-and-done kit. It requires yearly upkeep to ensure you’re ready for any bumps in the road.
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Join Today!Summer travel comes with unique challenges that can put extra stress on your vehicle. Extreme heat can weaken your battery, cause your engine to overheat and lead to tire blowouts. Severe thunderstorms can also leave you stranded on the roadside. A well-stocked survival kit ensures you stay safe and comfortable until help arrives.
Pack water, non-perishable snacks, a phone charger, a battery backup, hand sanitizer, trash bags and paper towels. These basics keep you hydrated, fed and reachable if you need to call for help.
Your kit should include a reflective vest, road flares, reflective triangles and a small fire extinguisher. These items improve your visibility at night and help prevent further accidents while you wait for assistance.
Heat and cold both shorten your battery's life, making a dead battery one of the most common roadside issues. Jumper cables are a simple all-season tool that can get you back on the road quickly—and they can help other drivers in need too.
To protect yourself from the heat, rain and bugs, pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brim hat, an umbrella, a rain poncho and bug repellent.
Check your kit twice a year. Replace expired medications and snacks, swap out old water bottles, replace flashlight batteries and confirm that your jumper cables and tools are present. Swap out winter-specific items for summer essentials as the seasons change.
running smoothly
AAA Members receive a free vehicle maintenance inspection upon request with any paid service at a nearby AAA-owned Car Care Center or AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, a 36-month/36,000-mile guarantee on repairs at AAA-owned Car Care locations, and a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty at AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities. Members also receive a 10% discount on repair labor (save up to $75).
