AAA Assists America's Aging Population in Finding a Reputable Auto Repair Shop That They Can Depend on as Part of Car Care Month

ORLANDO, Fla.--Oct. 1, 20058, 2005--AAA projects that by 2020, there will be more than 40 million licensed senior motorists on the road. As more seniors continue to drive steadily into the golden years, AAA would like to help simplify their life somewhat with some valuable advice on the care of their vehicle.

Auto repairs can some times be very expensive for seniors who are on a strict budget, and no one wants to pay for work that is unnecessary. However, not every repair situation is clear cut (particularly when it involves preventive maintenance), and there are often different opinions about what work is necessary or desirable.

"When seniors encounter these differences, and the varied repair cost estimates that go along with them, they often assume that the more involved and costly repair option is an attempt to rip off the consumer," says Bob Darbelnet, president of AAA.

However, seniors need to take into consideration that there may be more than one approach to solve an automotive repair. For example, says John Nielsen, director of AAA Automotive, "One repair shop may take a proactive service strategy that emphasizes immediate maintenance and repair to help prevent further (and possibly more serious) problems down the road. While, on the other hand, another repair facility may take a more reactive approach, deferring certain types of preventive repairs until the problem becomes more significant."

Regardless of the service approach decided upon, seniors have an array of member benefits that can prevent them from being taken for a ride.

For instance, repair shops that pass stringent standards and become part of AAA's Approved Auto Repair (AAR) program offer quality auto care service. AAR facilities also offer members a free maintenance inspection when their vehicle is being serviced, and warranty their work for 12 months or 12,000 miles, both parts and labor, under normal operating conditions.

"Most importantly," adds Nielsen, "AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities have agreed, by contract, to accept AAA as an independent and final authority in case of a dispute over repairs involving a AAA member's car."

As part of Car Care Month, AAA urges seniors not to wait for their car to break down before identifying a quality repair shop. Do your research in advance, and know where you want to take your vehicle when it needs to be serviced in the future.

For senior motorists' wishing to identify a quality repair shop near their home, the AAR Shop Locator on http://www.aaa.com can quickly and easily provide a list from among the more than 7,800 AAA Approved Auto Repair shops across the continent.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its more than 48 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automobile-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 travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the internet at: http://www.aaa.com

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