Recommendations For Planning Your Car For Summer Travel
Spring is the perfect time to get your vehicle ready for the busy summer driving season ahead. It's advisable to have your vehicle inspected before summer's extreme vacation traffic and stop-and-go situation begin earnestly.
The experts at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence suggest the following tips on getting your vehicle ready:
* Look at the owner's guide and follow the recommended service schedules. Be careful on "regular" vs. "severe" schedules proposed, and find out which is right for your driving conditions and habits.
* Seek a methodical repair facility with current equipment in the service bays and certified automotive technicians being staff, as evidenced by trade school diplomas, credentials of advanced course work and training, as well as national certification of the individual technicians by ASE.
* Cleanse and refill the cooling system (radiator) according to the service manual's recommendations. The level, form and intensity of the coolant should be checked regularly. Make sure the engine has cooled down before removing the radiator cap. Engine overheating is the most common summer breakdown.
* Have engine performance problems rectified, such as hard starts, tough idling and stalling. You'll get better gasoline mileage, and you could put off more expensive repairs.
* Don't overlook your transmission and brakes. Costly repairs can be prevented by regular service. Neglected brakes can give rise to safety issues, too.
* Seek out a qualified auto technician to test the condition of belts, clamps and hoses, but be proactive by looking for signs of deterioration.
* Have a marginally operating air conditioner system checked by a technician qualified to deal with refrigerants. Older units often contain ozone-depleting chemicals that could be released into the air due to irregular or incompetent service.
* Change the oil and oil filter as indicated in the owner's manual. This simple, inexpensive service can add to the life of your vehicle.
* Change other filters (air, fuel, PCV) as recommended in the service manual.
* Check the condition of tires, including the spare. Let the tires "cool down" prior to checking their pressure. Bumpy wear, "cupping", vibrations or "pulling" to one side indicates troubles with your tires or suspension system.
* Exchange your headlights with some good aftermarket headlights. Good custom headlights or even just a nice new set of H11 bulbs for your standard lights will make a massive difference when you're traveling at night. Hardly ever do you realize how weak your headlights are until you upgrade. Chances are the winter road grim has ruined your lenses to the point where they actually need to be replaced.
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