More than 450,000 Oklahomans are expected to take to the roads over the three-day Memorial Day holiday weekend.

AAA Oklahoma recommends motorists take precautions and perform some preventative maintenance to their vehicles to reduce the risk of a breakdown.

AAA Oklahoma estimates it will come to the rescue of more than 3,500 stranded motorists over the weekend.

“Whether driving near home or away, the best way to avoid being stranded is by exercising a little preventive maintenance on your vehicle now,” said Chuck Mai, AAA Oklahoma spokesman. “Taking care of your vehicle can not only prevent the hassle of a breakdown, but can also cost far less than a major repair that might be needed if vehicle upkeep is ignored.”

Based on the auto club’s experience last year during the holiday, AAA Oklahoma expects it will respond to 1,875 calls from AAA members who need a tow during the long weekend as well as 675 calls from drivers who have locked their keys in their vehicle.

AAA is ready to change 475 flat tires during the holiday weekend and expects to jump start 425 cars. Seventy-five AAA members will call for fuel delivery and 40 likely will need their vehicle winched out of a precarious position.

According to AAA Oklahoma there are several basic items motorists can check themselves between trips to their auto repair facility, including:

• Engine air filter. A dirty air filter was the most frequent problem found during AAA car care inspections in 2009. A dirty or clogged air filter restricts airflow, reducing engine performance and wasting fuel. A damaged filter, or one that does not seal properly in its housing, will allow unfiltered air to enter the engine. This can lead to increased engine wear and may even damage electronic engine control components.

The organization recommends, check the air filter every six months or 7,500 miles by holding it up to a 100-watt light bulb. If light can be seen through much of the filter, it is still clean enough to work effectively. However, if the light is blocked by most of the filter, replace it.

• Windshield washer fluid. Low or no windshield wiper fluid was the No. 2 problem AAA found during its inspections. Rain, insects, grime and other debris on a windshield will compromise the driver’s vision if the windshield wipers cannot remove them.

• Tire pressure. Over- or under-inflated tires were the No. 3 problem found during inspections last year. More than 21 percent of the vehicles checked had one or more tires with incorrect air pressure. Proper inflation will make tires last longer and delay the need to buy new ones. Plus, correct tire pressures will help maximize a vehicle’s fuel economy, while ensuring optimum ride and handling for comfort and safety.

Check and adjust tire pressures at least once a month. Always inflate tires to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended settings and not the maximum pressure molded on the side of the tire.

• Tire tread. Tires with not enough tread depth were in the top five of AAA’s list of vehicle concerns. Having good tires with sufficient tread depth is crucial, particularly in wet road conditions. Worn tires with shallow tread are much more likely to hydroplane on wet pavement, resulting in a loss of braking power and steering control.

Check the tread depth by inserting a quarter upside down into a tire groove with Washington’s head facing outward. The tread should cover part of Washington’s head. If any of the area above Washington’s head is visible, the tires should be replaced.

• Battery. Summer heat breaks down the battery internally and accelerates the rate of corrosion on vehicle’s battery terminals. Both of these conditions can lead to insufficient electrical power being available and leave a motorist stranded without warning.

Check the battery cables to ensure they are securely attached to the terminals. Clean the terminals if there are any signs of corrosion. It is not enough to simply remove external corrosion; proper cleaning requires disconnecting the cables to clean the areas where their ends contact the battery terminals.  

• Windshield wiper blades. If wiper blades are worn, cracked or rigid with age, they will not adequately remove rain, grime and other debris that can obscure driver vision.

AAA Oklahoma recommends checking wiper blades at every oil change or whenever they fail to wipe the glass clean in a single swipe.