Ask Pete

[#1]

As we look forward to exciting times in 2011, it’s important to glance in the rearview mirror at some numbers directly related to automotive maintenance (or the lack thereof) that occurred in 2010. I recently suggested making a New Year’s resolution that may be different from resolutions you’re used to making—specifically, to be more tuned in to your vehicle’s maintenance in 2011. Here are some interesting factoids that really drive home my point.

In 2010, AAA Auto Club South:

• Provided Emergency Road Service 2.2 million times to AAA members (That's 6,028 members per day / 251 members per hour / 4 members per minute)
• Provided 114,923 AAA-branded replacement batteries to members at their home or place of business
• Performed lockout service on 394,466 vehicles
• Towed 1,088,058 vehicles, changed 317,090 tires, and provided over 60,000 gallons of gas to stranded AAA motorists

Of last year’s 2.2 million road service events, our Emergency Road Service technicians were able to get AAA members on the go again 58.8% of the time by replacing a battery, providing basic mechanical adjustments, or changing a tire. In many cases, proper vehicle maintenance could have prevented the breakdown in the first place. Take advantage of the Free Vehicle Maintenance inspection offered at all AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities and avoid being one of our 2011 statistics!

[#2]

HI, Pete,

I renew my membership on  September 2010 and as of this date I haven't received the membership cards. I have called several times  and visited AAA office and told them to send me the plastic card and they haven't. What else can I do to receive the cards?.

Thank you

Ray

[#3]

I'm sorry to hear that you have not received the six membership cards we have sent you in the last five months since your membership renewal.  I will try to reach you to verify your address, however, I'm concerned that you haven't received the cards because I feel certain that your address has been confirmed when you requested the card in person at the branch office, and through our Call Center, and you probably reviewed your address yourself when you requested the card online .

I will call you at the phone numbers we have on file to see if we can figure out what is happening.  We value your membership and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

[#4]

Dear AAAPete,

I have intended for years to computerize my maintenance logs on our vehicles. This morning I was online looking for software that would facilitate and it occurred to me that there might be something on the AAA sight that my membership would give me access to. I don't see anything on the sight  but on reading "Looking Back to Prove a Point" it occurred to me to suggest it here.  Either a downloadable bit of software or an online log associated with my account would be a nice membership benefit and would be consistent with AAA's goal of minimizing roadside incidents. Thanks. 

[#5]

I think we have just what you are looking for. Check out Automanager under the "Automotive" tab on AAA.com.

http://www.aaasouth.com/Automotive/automanager.aspx

[#6]

What a great idea!  This will be so helpful when you want to remember when you last rotated your tires, or got an oil change, or even had a repair.  You think you will remember this, and then time flies by and you find yourself going through old papers just to confirm when you had something done.  And if you have more than one family car, it gets even more complicated.  Thanks so much for providing this!!  I'm going to start using it.

[#7]

i plan to use this too...i know you're supposed to keep notes in a notebook in the car, but i never remember to do that....what a great idea....

[#8]

This gas dilemma is a real pain in the wallet. An idea or two that will, hopefully, open avenues of  thought

and save a few $$$$. Should this trend continue, might a wedding gift selection be decided at  Shells or Texaco. 

>  Use  Smart Phone to check gas prices, in the area you are driving.

>  Travel with CASH...Some Companys offer up to10 cents per gallon savings with cash transaction.

>  Use Warehouse Club Cards...Sams, Cosco etc., I use Sam's.. there is a few cents saving.

>  Discount, Gas Gift Cards available in some locations. Check your local Service Stations 

>  Some Credit Card Companies offer a 5% back feature. Check Credit Card  Company to verify availability of this feature.

>  SPEED ONLY if you want to SPEND.

                            A THOUGHT..".TODAY IS THE TOMORROW WE WORRIED ABOUT YESTERDAY."

[#9]

Great financial advice, NormS. Thank you!