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AAA Study Finds Most Motorists Drive Under Severe Conditions

AAA has always advised motorists to follow the automobile manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule to improve the reliability and longevity of their vehicles. However, owner's manuals usually contain two different maintenance schedules -- one for normal service and one for severe service, depending on how the vehicle is driven. In a recent study, AAA found more than half of all motorists follow the wrong maintenance schedule.

When polled by AAA, only six percent of motorists felt they did most of their driving under severe service conditions. But when asked about the actual driving behaviors that create severe operating conditions, 62 percent of motorists admitted they drive their vehicle that way all or most of the time.
Vehicle manufacturers vary slightly on how they identify severe service driving, but AAA's study asked motorists if they frequently:
Drive on short trips of less than 5 miles in normal temperatures or less than 10 miles in freezing temperatures.
Drive in hot weather stop-and-go traffic.
Drive at low speeds of less than 50 miles per hour for long distances.
Drive on roads that are dusty, muddy or have salt, sand or gravel spread on the surface.
Tow a trailer, carrying a camper (if a pickup truck) or transport items on a roof rack or in a car-top carrier.
"Manufacturers provide differing sets of recommendations for severe driving conditions because of the increased wear they put on vehicle components and fluids," said John Nielsen, director of AAA Approved Auto Repair and Auto Buying Services. "With increased traffic congestion and longer commutes becoming more common, many motorists do not realize what they think of as normal driving is actually severe when it comes to wear and tear on their vehicle."

Maintenance schedules for severe driving conditions typically recommend having the vehicle's fluids and filters changed on a more frequent basis, and more frequent inspections of some components.

AAA advises motorists they should:
Read their owner's manual and/or maintenance booklet.
Learn what the manufacturer considers normal and severe service driving conditions for their vehicles.
Make an honest assessment of their driving habits.
Schedule service in accordance with the appropriate maintenance schedule.
For additional assistance in evaluating whether you drive under severe conditions and determining the proper maintenance intervals for your vehicles, please visit your nearest Tuffy Auto Service Center

The AAA study was conducted as part of the 2008 AAA Car Care Month and included interviews with 841 U.S. adults, both AAA members and non-members, who currently own or lease a motor vehicle. Interviews were weighed by age, sex, geographic region and race to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total population, 18 years of age and older.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com .