[paulat585]

Hi, I'm establishing residency here. My car roadside service in Ohio cost $55 a year, but I hear it is more expensive in Florida. Any suggestions as to service providers to check out? I used AAA up north. Thanks!

[JohnN]

I use AAA and they helped when I needed them.

[billlaur]

AAA best service around, no more expensive here than up north...

Originally Posted by paulat585

Hi, I'm establishing residency here. My car roadside service in Ohio cost $55 a year, but I hear it is more expensive in Florida. Any suggestions as to service providers to check out? I used AAA up north. Thanks!

I'm from Dayton & had AAA Plus because that pays for a tow up to 100 miles from home. When I moved down here in 2007, I kept that plan because my sister lives near Orlando. Don't travel out of The Villages except to doctors' appts now so I downgraded to Classic. I just got my renewal notice for Feb 2021: $57. It's been money well spent as I found out that a car sitting in a very hot garage all day drains the battery. I have had to get one every 2-3 years vs 3-4 in Ohio. They send a pickup truck. I have been at home twice & once at Lowe's. I started buying their batteries because of the warranty, which I had to use once. BTW, you'll be transferring to the AAA South Club. Call the office in LSL to check prices for different levels. Their ph# is (352) 751-1888

[paulat585]

Originally Posted by KittyKat

I'm from Dayton & had AAA Plus because that pays for a tow up to 100 miles from home. When I moved down here in 2007, I kept that plan because my sister lives near Orlando. Don't travel out of The Villages except to doctors' appts now so I downgraded to Classic. I just got my renewal notice for Feb 2021: $57. It's been money well spent as I found out that a car sitting in a very hot garage all day drains the battery. I have had to get one every 2-3 years vs 3-4 in Ohio. They send a pickup truck. I have been at home twice & once at Lowe's. I started buying their batteries because of the warranty, which I had to use once. BTW, you'll be transferring to the AAA South Club. Call the office in LSL to check prices for different levels. Their ph# is (352) 751-1888

Very interesting re the battery. I already had to replace one last winter when I was renting. Now I know the reason.

[paulat585]

Thanks, everyone! AAA it is!

[Annie66]

I pay $258 per year with AAA for their Plus coverage, so it averages out to ~$22 per month. It covers us plus two of our children. Not a bad deal.

[hatsyc]

AAASouth also covers your golf cart. We have had occasion to use it several times.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by KittyKat

I'm from Dayton & had AAA Plus because that pays for a tow up to 100 miles from home. When I moved down here in 2007, I kept that plan because my sister lives near Orlando. Don't travel out of The Villages except to doctors' appts now so I downgraded to Classic. I just got my renewal notice for Feb 2021: $57. It's been money well spent as I found out that a car sitting in a very hot garage all day drains the battery. I have had to get one every 2-3 years vs 3-4 in Ohio. They send a pickup truck. I have been at home twice & once at Lowe's. I started buying their batteries because of the warranty, which I had to use once. BTW, you'll be transferring to the AAA South Club. Call the office in LSL to check prices for different levels. Their ph# is (352) 751-1888

The inside of a garage rarely gets any hotter than the outside air temperature. Millions of cars around the world are continually exposed to higher temperatures than Florida garages. So, I think your reasoning about why your battery died is flawed.

[Dahabs]

Originally Posted by KittyKat

I'm from Dayton & had AAA Plus because that pays for a tow up to 100 miles from home. When I moved down here in 2007, I kept that plan because my sister lives near Orlando. Don't travel out of The Villages except to doctors' appts now so I downgraded to Classic. I just got my renewal notice for Feb 2021: $57. It's been money well spent as I found out that a car sitting in a very hot garage all day drains the battery. I have had to get one every 2-3 years vs 3-4 in Ohio. They send a pickup truck. I have been at home twice & once at Lowe's. I started buying their batteries because of the warranty, which I had to use once. BTW, you'll be transferring to the AAA South Club. Call the office in LSL to check prices for different levels. Their ph# is (352) 751-1888

Replacing a battery every 2-3 years seems a bit much. If lack of use is truly the reason I would suggest battery tender to maintain the charge.

[Keninches]

We have Florida Farm Bureau car insurance and roadside help is included. Best Ever.
No you don’t have to be a farmer to have their insurance.

[jbrown132]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The inside of a garage rarely gets any hotter than the outside air temperature. Millions of cars around the world are continually exposed to higher temperatures than Florida garages. So, I think your reasoning about why your battery died is flawed.

I don’t think his reasoning is flawed. I have have bee in Fl for 10 years now and have replaced my battery on the average of every 2.5 years. Up north I replaced my battery about every 4 years. I have always used the same type of batteries so the only variable is the heat.

[richs631]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The inside of a garage rarely gets any hotter than the outside air temperature. Millions of cars around the world are continually exposed to higher temperatures than Florida garages. So, I think your reasoning about why your battery died is flawed.

It is absolutely true, batteries in a hot weather climate go quicker than cold weather. A good brand new battery will last 12-18 months shorter in Florida as opposed to the same battery in NY

[matandch]

Road Rangers patrol Florida interstate highways and give FREE roadside assistance. I had a blowout on I75 and was told by AAA 2 hr wait. RR found my in 30 minutes and changed my tire absolutely free of charge. Here’s a link: Frequently Asked Questions

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by richs631

It is absolutely true, batteries in a hot weather climate go quicker than cold weather. A good brand new battery will last 12-18 months shorter in Florida as opposed to the same battery in NY

You could be correct about the hot vs cold weather climates. But, I don't think that parking the car in a garage vs outside has much affect on the life of the battery in Florida. My garage does not get hotter than the outside temperature. However, I think that using a garage in a cold climate will extend the battery life because you will reduce cold starts.