AAA Roadside Assistance

Each year, AAA receives millions of calls for its Roadside Assistance. In 2019 alone, AAA received more than 32 million calls for assistance nationwide. Of those, almost half—more than 15 million—were for just 3 kinds of trouble: dead batteries, flat tires, and keys locked inside vehicles. Many of these issues could have been prevented with basic maintenance; a AAA survey found that more than a third of Americans have skipped or delayed recommended services or repairs, a decision that can have painful consequences. Read more on the survey findings that millions of AAA service calls are preventable.

Once used mainly in high-performance vehicles, synthetic oil is now required by most automakers—American, Asian, and European—in some or all of their new cars. Using conventional oil in such vehicles may void your car’s warranty, requiring you to foot the bill for any engine repairs. Read what every driver needs to know about synthetic motor oil.

This is among motorists' most frequently asked questions. Years ago, the prevailing wisdom was to change the oil and filter about every 3,000 miles. That advice—accurate at the time—was gospel for decades. For most of today’s cars, however, that standard is woefully out of date. The fact is, unnecessary oil changes do damage to the environment and your wallet. Find out how often should you change your car’s engine oil. 

Modern cars need little routine maintenance compared to the cars of 2 or 3 decades ago. But that doesn’t mean no maintenance. In addition to regular visits to your dealership or independent repair shop, you can perform simple tasks to keep your car running well. Read about 4 important car maintenance checks.

You’ve probably never been bored enough to read your car owner’s manual. But there are good reasons for doing so, including keeping yourself and your family safe on the road, making day-to-day driving more enjoyable, and keeping your car in top condition. Find out how reading your car owner’s manual will save you time, frustration, and money.

Dashboard indicator lights look straightforward, but what's the difference between flashing and solid? Why are some red and others yellow? And how are you supposed to “check engine,” anyway? We look at how to interpret what your indicators are telling you. Here's how to read your dashboard lights.

Besides regular oil changes, other important maintenance services might save you from expensive repairs as your car gets older. Read more on your essential car maintenance checklist.

A study conducted by engineers at the Automotive Research Center and the AAA National Office found that many headlights may not provide adequate illumination when driving at higher speeds—or, in some cases, speeds as low as 40 mph. Read AAA's guide to headlight safety, maintenance, and restoration.

AAA has teamed up with Discount Tire to educate drivers about the importance of well-maintained tires and tire safety. Read tire safety tips from AAA.

Knowing the symptoms of a serious car problem can help you know when it's time for professional repairs. We look at the 5 most common categories of repairs performed at AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities. Find out the symptoms of the 5 most common kinds of problems.