More than half of motorists are driving cars five years old or older, a recent AAA Mid-Atlantic Web poll has found.
In the poll posted on AAA’s Cars & Driving blog for two weeks in May, only 5 percent responded that they drive a car less than one year old – compared to 54 percent who said they are driving a car five years or older.
These poll results are consistent with recent news reports which peg the average age of America’s car and truck fleet at a record-high number – 9.4 years (source: R.L. Polk). For motorists with aging cars who are trying to stretch household budgets in this recession, keeping vehicles in good working order should be a priority.
Because older vehicles tend to break down more often than newer vehicles, particularly in summer heat, it’s important to stick to a regular maintenance schedule.
“Not only is it important to maintain your vehicle to keep it running as efficiently as possible, but also to ensure that you are not hit with a huge unexpected repair bill at some point,” said AAA spokeswoman Catherine Rossi.
Here’s some AAA tips for maintaining older vehicles:
BULLET Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.
BULLET Check your battery. Batteries more than two years old should be tested by a qualified technician to make sure they have the starting power to handle the stress of extreme temperatures.
BULLET Change your motor oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Motor oil helps keep the engine cool. Check levels and condition. If driving under extreme conditions – such as over mountains or towing a heavy trailer – switch to a motor oil with higher viscosity. Check the owner’s manual for specific oil recommendations.
BULLET Inspect antifreeze/coolant level and condition, making certain the proper 50/50 mixture of water and coolant is present.
BULLET Check the air conditiong system. If needed, have it serviced by a qualified technician. Do not allow the use of non-approved substitute refrigerants.
BULLET Check other under-the-hood components such as belts and hoses. These rubber parts are affected by extreme heat and should be regularly inspected. Be sure the vehicle engine is turned off before inspecting these items.
PHILLY BIKE RACE
After a rocky funding start, the 25th Philadelphia International Cycling Championship Race rolled out at 9 a.m. Sunday in Philadelphia. It ended about 3:20 p.m.
So you should be prepared to deal with traffic blockages in and around the city from the Ben Franklin Parkway to Manayunk, the site of the torturous climb called the Manayunk Wall.
I attended the first race in 1985 back when the former CoreStates Bank sponsored it – several banks since then have sponsored it. And I still have the faded, shrunken T-shirt to prove it.
There’s nothing like the party atmosphere and cheers and cow bells ringing as the competing cyclists battle wheel-to-wheel 10 times up the hill in Manayunk during 10 laps of the 156-mile cycling event.
The first race in 1985 with 76 cyclists was won by Olympic gold medalist skater and professional cyclist Heiden, racing for the 7-Eleven team.
It remains the longest running and most important single-day cycling road race in the United States. About 17 domestic and eight international cycling teams will comprise the rich field of 200 riders battling in the fiercely competitive race.
The well-attended sporting event also includes the four-lap, 57.6-mile Liberty Classic with more than 100 professional international women cyclists competing 10 minutes after the male riders spin off on the same 14.4-mile course.
The race has hosted some of the sport’s greats from around the world and played a large part in developing cycling in the U.S., serving as the national USPRO championship race for 20 of those years from 1985 until 2005. The grueling race has often been made difficult by scorching heat and the Manayunk Wall climb.
But luckily this year, the National Weather Service forecasts mostly sunny skies with highs only in the lower 80s Sunday with north winds around 5 mph. I wouldn’t miss the quarter-century event for the world. Safe driving and cycling.
LINE PAINTING
On Monday, June 8, PennDOT crews will paint traffic lines along I-95 North/South between Route 63 (Woodhaven Road) in Philadelphia and Route 420 in Delaware County from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
During the slow moving operation, motorists will face possible delays and should avoid driving over the newly painted line.
I-95 – DELCO
Weeknight lanes restrictions are scheduled on I-95 North/South 10 p.m.- 5 a.m. Monday-Thursday between the Blue Route (I-476) and the Chichester Avenue interchanges for joint sealing and other repairs.
Two lanes will be closed Monday in both directions.
Two lanes will be closed on I-95 North Tuesday.
Wednesday and Thursday, two lanes will be closed on I-95 South.
Traffic Delays
Thornbury – Dilworthtown Road, pipe replacement, closed/detoured between Westtown and Creek roads, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays.
Ridley Township – Fairview Road, CSX Railroad crossing upgrading, closed/detoured between Sherman Avenue and Elm Street, 9 a.m. Tuesday to noon Friday.
Bethel – Naamans Creek Road, United Water utility installation between Foulk and Zebley roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Friday.
West Baltimore Avenue – Upper Darby and Lansdowne, AT&T conduit installation, one lane closed between Church Lane and Lansdowne Avenue 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; 6 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays through June 12. Work begins Monday.
Upper Chichester – Naamans Creek Road, utility installation, closed/detoured between Meetinghouse Road and I-95, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., weekdays through July 18. Work began May 11.
Haverford – Coopertown Road, Aqua installation, closed/detoured between College Avenue and Darby Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 28. Work began April 20.
Also, College Avenue closed/detoured 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays between Coopertown Road and Spring Mill Lane.
Chester — Flower Street, ramp construction with a new traffic pattern at Fourth and Second streets, 24-hour restriction through 2011. Work began Jan. 12.
Also, Norris Street, ramp construction with lane restrictions at Front Street and Delaware Avenue, 24-hour restriction through 2011. Work began Jan. 12.
Ridley Park – Ridley Avenue, Aqua utility installation, closed/detoured between Constitution Avenue and Cresswell/Tasker streets 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays and through Aug. 28. Work began March 9.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.