OHIO — As 3.1 million Ohioans plan to hit the road to get to their destinations this holiday weekend, the American Automobile Association said it expects to help thousands of them who may face challenges along the way. 

“Dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts will be the leading reasons AAA members will experience car trouble,” said Kevin Gore, battery technician, AAA Fleet Services.

AAA said most roadside trouble can be affordable. While officials advise drivers to get their cars checked before their journeys, they also encourage people to follow the acronym B-E-T: Batteries, engine and tires. AAA said if these systems are checked, the odds have having a serious breakdown are greatly reduced.

Batteries, engines and tires are the most common issues on a trip, and drivers can take the following precautions:

• To check for battery-related issues, have a simple battery test through dealerships, car services places and more.
• As for the engine, there could be cooling system failtures, especially in cars that are 10 years or older. Drivers should check for fluids, such as coolant pooling under the car, which can foreshadow a problem.
• As for tires, drivers can minimize this risk by checking tread depth, tire pressure and whether their vehicle is equipped with a spare tire.

If a breakdown occurs, AAA said to safely guide your car to the far right, away from the lanes of travel, if possible. Stay in the car, and call for help. When help arrives, stay in the car until police or other officials approach the car with more instructions. 

AAA also encourages drivers to pack an emergency kit. This should include water, non-perishable food items, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, road flares or some sort of emergency light, basic hand tools and a first-aid kit. 

Additionally, have a fully charged cellphone on hand, always.