More than 1.4 million stranded holiday drivers expected by AAA

AAA anticipates it will come to the rescue of more than 1.4 million stranded motorists during the peak holiday driving period between December 18 and January 2, answering calls for everything from dead batteries and flat tires to slide-offs and lost keys.

"We'll answer the call the lots of flustered and harried drivers stuck or broken down along freeways in mall parking lots and on residential driveways," said AAA Idaho spokesman Dave Carlson. "No one expects a breakdown, but with a little preventive maintenance, some of the car trouble that dampens the holiday spirit could be avoided altogether."

Dead batteries will be a primary culprit, leading to 320,000 calls. In some cases, a simple jump start may be all that's required to get a college student or a shopper back on his or her way. The auto travel organization said it expects it will replace more that 90,000 batteries on the spot during this two week period.

AAA also anticipates it will change nearly 175,000 tires during the holidays and extricate 60,000 cars stuck in the snow or mud. The motor club expects to retrieve nearly 200,000 sets of keys locked inside cars, or perform other locksmith services for members.

"I recall the story of a family losing their car keys in the deep snow in their front yard, following an impromptu game of 'keep away' with the family dog," Carlson said. "The AAA contractor tried to help, but it was the painstaking search by family members that finally located the lost keys."

Another half-million breakdowns will be significant enough to require a tow during the holidays. By checking few key items on their vehicles, some of the calls could be avoided altogether. AAA recommends that drivers make sure their car is up-to-date on recommended maintenance and inspect these key components

* Antifreeze - Check to make sure there's enough antifreeze to withstand the cold. A 50/50 mixture of coolant and water will protect your engine against freezing.

* Tires - Check the recommended tire pressure found on the driver's door jamb - NOT the pressure stamped on the tire sidewall. Cold weather reduces tire pressure. Do not reduce pressure to increase traction on snow or ice. It doesn't work and on dry roads it will cause excessive tire wear and vehicle handling problems. Check for wear, bulges or other damage.

* Battery - Cold weather puts an added load on the battery, so check it for secure connections and clean any corrosion on the battery and its clamps. If it's out of warranty, have your battery tested. Not all batteries are the same, so have a certified technician check and replace it if necessary. AAA roadside battery service is located in some metropolitan areas.

* Belts and hoses - Check belts for cracks, grazing or fraying on both sides of the belt. Look for hoses that are visibly worn, brittle, bulging or excessively soft. Check for leaks around hose clamps and at the radiator and water pump. If you question the condition of these items, take your vehicle to a certified technician before you travel.

* The other stuff - Fluid levels, lights and windshield wipers and washers may not necessarily lead to a breakdown, but they can result in all kinds of problems on the road. AAA advises motorists to have a certified technician inspect a car's brakes, exhaust system, and heater/defroster. Oil and filter changes should be performed at intervals recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.