Regular
maintenance such as tune-ups, oil changes, battery
checks, tire rotations, and so forth go a long way toward preventing breakdowns before
they happen. If your vehicle has been serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, it should be in good
shape and nearly ready to travel. If not — or you don’t know the service history of the
vehicle you plan to drive — schedule a preventive maintenance check-up with your mechanic now. Providing your vehicle is well maintained, getting it ready for a road trip is relatively quick and easy. However,
it’s important to perform the following basic safety checks before you go: Vehicle Safety "Hot
Days of Summer"Checklist 
- Tires — Air pressure,
tread wear, spare
Check the air pressure in all your
tires, especially the neglected spare. To get an accurate reading, check pressure when tires are cold, meaning they
haven’t been driven on for at least three hours. It’s a good idea to keep a tire pressure gauge on hand in your
vehicle for this purpose. You can find the correct pressure for your tires listed on a label inside the driver’s doorframe
or in the vehicle’s owner’s manual — the correct pressure is not the number listed on the tire itself.
Also, take five minutes to inspect your tires for signs of excessive or irregular
wear. If the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch, it’s time to replace your tires. If you find
irregular tread wear patterns, it means your tires need rotation and/or your wheels need to be realigned before you leave.
For more information on tire safety and pressure, visit the “Tires” section of www.safercar.gov, a vehicle safety resource of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Belts
and Hoses — Condition and fittings
Look under
the hood and inspect all belts and hoses to make sure they are in good shape with no signs of blisters, cracks, or cuts in
the rubber. High summer temperatures accelerate the rate at which rubber belts and hoses degrade, so it’s best to replace
them now if they show signs of obvious wear. While you’re at it, check all hose connections to make sure they’re
secure. - Wiper Blades — Wear and tear on both sides
After the heavy duty imposed by winter storms
and spring rains, it’s likely that your windshield wipers are ragged from use and ready to be replaced. Moreover, like
rubber belts and hoses, wiper blades are susceptible to the summer heat. Examine your blades
for signs of wear and tear. If they aren’t in tip-top condition, invest in new ones before you go. - Cooling System — Needed servicing and coolant level
Carefully check your coolant level to make sure it’s
adequate. In addition, if it’s time to have your cooling system flushed and refilled (or even nearly time), have it
done now. On a long road trip in summer heat, you’ll want your cooling system functioning at peak performance to avoid
the possibility of your engine overheating. - Fluid
Levels — Oil, brake, transmission, power steering, coolant,
and windshield
Obviously, you’ll want to check your vehicle’s oil level. And as with coolant, if it’s
time or even nearly time to have the oil changed, now would be a good time to do it. In addition, check the following fluid
levels: brake, automatic transmission, power steering, windshield washer, and coolant. Make sure each reservoir is full and
if you see any sign of fluid leakage, take your vehicle in to be serviced. - Lights — Headlights, brake lights, turn
signals, emergency flashers, interior lights, and trailer lights
See and be seen! Ensure all the lights on your
vehicle are in working order. Check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers and interior lights. Towing
a trailer? Be sure to check your trailer lights too. Failure of trailer light connections is a common problem and a serious
safety hazard. - Air Conditioning
— Sensitive to heat? Check AC performance before traveling
If
you’re traveling with someone sensitive to heat, you may also want to ensure that your air conditioning system is functioning
properly. Lack of air conditioning on a hot summer day can adversely affect people who are in poor health or are sensitive
to heat, such as children and seniors. If the air is not blowing cold, it’s a good idea to have the system repaired
before you go, especially since emergency, on-the-road repairs can be more costly than those you plan in advance.
Summer Maintenance Tips  Hot weather can be rough on cars. Higher
temperatures speed up a car's wear and tear, as fluids and lubricants break down more
quickly. But by following the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule (see your car's owner's manual) and taking the
following precautions, your car will be ready for a long, hot summer: - Consider
a pre-trip inspection by a qualified technician before you leave. Repairs made on the
road may be more costly, and disrupt your vacation plans.
- Operationally, check
the air conditioning, and inspect the belts and hoses. You may want to have a service
professional inspect the entire system.
- Inspect batteries and battery cables
for corrosion, cracks and dirt. Hot weather can shorten a battery's life, so have it tested if it's
near the end of its warranty. It's a lot easier to replace a dying battery before a trip than replace a dead one on the side
of the road.
- Have a licensed brake adjuster inspect your
brake pads and linings
for wear.
- Change the engine oil and filter
according to the manufacturer's service intervals and specifications. The service technician should also check the coolant,
brake, automatic transmission, windshield wiper and power steering fluids.
- Replace
ragged wiper blades.
- Check the air pressure
in all tires, including the spare, to make sure they are properly inflated. Uneven
or excessive treadwear are signs that it may be time for rotation or even replacement.
- Test
your car's interior and exterior lights, including turn signals and high beams, to
make sure they work. This is also a good time to clean the lenses to get maximum visibility.
- Change your car's air filters according to the manufacturer's service intervals
and specifications. A dirty air filter lowers gas mileage and reduces engine performance.
- A service professional should inspect the radiator, pressure cap, belts and hoses. Flush and refill
the cooling system according to the manufacturer's service intervals and specifications.
- Check engine light. Never leave on a long trip with your car's
"check engine light" or "malfunction indicator light" lit up. This light alerts you to a malfunction if
it's on while driving your car. If this light is on, have the problem diagnosed by a qualified technician before you leave.
Top
10 Summer Travel Tips By Steve Siler, from edmonds
Whether you're heading out on a weekend road trip, planning a month-long family vacation or waking
a four-wheeled friend from its long winter's nap, you'll want to make sure the summer driving season brings maximum enjoyment
and minimum stress. Before you pack up the car, check out these travel tips from our staff of road warriors. - Tend to your tires. Exchange your winter tires for summer or all-season tires.
Winter tires wear out quickly on dry, hot pavement; switching them early will keep them in optimum shape for next year, not
to mention improve your car's handling during the summer months.
Check your tire pressure — and
check it often. With every passing month, the average tire loses about a pound of air pressure.
Proper tire inflation is critical to achieving the best possible contact between the tire and the road and avoiding blowouts
and tread separation. Most cars have a decal mounted in their driver doorjamb that lists the correct tire pressures depending
on tire size and vehicle load. Properly inflated tires will also improve fuel economy, particularly important if you're doing
lots of high-speed driving on a long family vacation.
- Stay on top of your
fluids. If you've fallen behind on maintenance, get your car's oil changed before you hit the
road. Keep in mind that any of today's oils, including 5W-30, 10W-30 or 10W-40 grades, are multiviscous, and get a bit thinner
the hotter it gets outside, thereby increasing the chance that the engine might not get the proper lubrication (it's the opposite
in winter). Your vehicle's owner's manual will list the manufacturer's oil recommendations for different climates. If you
have a dealership or local garage perform the oil change, ask the manager what type and viscosity of oil they are putting
into your vehicle. Consider changing it to a compound that's slightly thicker if you're going to be driving in extreme temperatures.
While the hood is up, check the coolant/antifreeze mixture inside your vehicle's radiator. The ideal ratio of coolant to water
is 50-to-50 for optimal temperature regulation in both cold weather and hot. You can check this with a simple and inexpensive
antifreeze tester, which you can find at all auto parts stores.
- Give the
rest of your car a once-over. Inspect the belts and hoses. In modern cars, they are designed
to last a long time, but still have the potential to fail. Before summer begins, have the belts and hoses inspected by a mechanic.
And if your car is at least a couple of years old and you're not sure when they were last replaced, consider having them changed,
especially before setting out on a long road trip.
Inspect the wiper blades. The life
expectancy of a wiper blade is just one year, and wipers often get dried out or chewed up during a hard winter. If yours are
not making full contact with the windshield, replace them. Also, keep an eye on your windshield washer fluid reservoir, which
you can top off in less time than it takes to fill your tank with gas.
Finally, check the battery. Extreme heat and cold put additional strain on an automobile battery, particularly older ones. If yours is
more than 3 years old, have it tested at a certified automotive repair facility. If you don't know how old it is, think about
replacing it. This may seem like an unnecessary expense — especially for those on tight budgets — but trust us,
it's better than trying to find a replacement battery while you're stuck on the side of the road with three screaming kids.
- Prepare an emergency kit for your car. Here's what
we recommend carrying in a safe, secure part of your trunk or cargo area:
a. A flashlight,
flares and a first-aid kit b. Jumper cables c. A mat or blanket to protect your clothing in the event that you need
to change a tire or reach debris that might be lodged underneath your vehicle d. Extra clothes and gloves e. Paper
towels f. Extra washer fluid g. Nonperishable food h. Jug of water i. Basic tools (wrenches, ratchet/socket
set, screwdrivers, pliers or Vise-Grips, etc.) Many of these items
are available (often prepackaged) at auto parts stores or major department stores. Also, keep the phone number for your emergency
roadside assistance program, if you have one, in a convenient location.
- Pack
smart. Many of us are guilty of taking everything but the bathtub with us on road trips —
stuffing our vehicles to the roof with pillows, coolers, suitcases, CDs, etc. — to the detriment of the vehicle's comfort,
handling and outward visibility. Our advice: bring only what's necessary.
In the
days before you leave, then, make a list of what you'll need on your trip, and pack as many of those things ahead of time
as possible instead of throwing everything in the car in a panic at the last minute. Ask yourself: do you have to bring shampoo
when it will be provided by your hotel? Can you afford to eat some meals along the way instead of packing up the entire pantry?
Do you really need to bring eight pairs of shorts when you'll have access to Grandma's washer/dryer?
That said,
we do recommend packing a small cooler with bottled water, crackers, cereal bars, fruit, etc., to keep you and your family
hydrated and hunger-free. Replenish these supplies at gas stations or rest stops. Try to avoid salty foods and sodas, as they
can actually make you thirstier. And don't stuff yourself when you eat; food comas at 70 miles per hour are not
good, to say the least. And don't forget a camera.
- Load
smart. Once you've decided what to bring, don't pack items so high that they completely block
your outward vision. Don't bury items that you may need to access at a rest stop. If possible, even out your load from side
to side, and if you're hauling something in a pickup or SUV, try to keep the heaviest items as close to the center of the
vehicle as possible for optimal handling. And make sure you don't exceed your
vehicle's payload limit.
Another travel
tip rarely considered by vacationers is having your headlights adjusted slightly downward when carrying a heavy load in the
cargo area. Unless you have a self-leveling suspension, this could cause the rear of the vehicle to sag, directing your headlights
high enough to blind oncoming traffic and irritate drivers you may be following at night. This is especially important in
the case of trucks and SUVs, whose headlights are mounted quite high on the vehicle in the first place. Rule of thumb: if
the reflective highway signs are particularly bright, or if you can see the hair color of drivers in the car in front of you,
your headlights need to come down. Check your owner's manual to find out how to do this.
- Avoid fatigue. Drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of highway accidents.
There are a few measures you can take to avoid getting tired on the road. Make absolutely sure you get a good night's rest
before spending a long time behind the wheel. Be mindful of caffeine; a short-term coffee buzz will be followed by a lull,
and it's all but impossible to sustain one's energy for hours on end. Switch drivers every hour or two if you can. If you
find yourself getting tired, by all means pull over at a safe spot, switch on your hazard lights and rest for a few minutes.
Finally, stop often. Some people complain about having small bladders, but frequent bathroom stops actually help lower the
risk of freeway fatigue. Besides, you never know what cool trinkets, local vittles and photo ops may be waiting for you in
those random small towns you might otherwise skip over.
- Tow, tow, tow your
boat (or any trailer) with safety in mind. Keep it slow, keep it smooth. When towing, everything
you do while driving needs to be done at significantly reduced speed when compared to driving without a trailer. Smoothness
and caution are paramount to successful trailering, including accelerating, turning, changing lanes and especially braking.
Plan all maneuvers well ahead of time and be especially cautious when towing a slab-sided trailer in windy conditions. Also,
familiarize yourself with trailering-specific traffic laws and heed reduced speed limits.
Make
sure that you have generously sized and properly located mirrors that allow you to see what's next to your vehicle and trailer.
Install mirror extensions if necessary.
Check your owner's manual to make sure your vehicle is properly equipped
to handle a trailer hitch, and that it can handle the tongue weight and load of the trailer you intend to pull. Also, do not
overload your vehicle's trunk or cargo area, as that can put additional strain on the rear suspension and other components.
- Take the scenic route. Life really is about
the journey, so for Pete's sake, have some fun on your trip. If you're particularly confident in your navigator (or navigation
system), consider taking the more picturesque side roads instead of broad, mind-numbing interstates that may be packed with
big rigs and holiday travelers. Pad your trip with extra time so that you can stop at historical landmarks, soak in the beauty
of natural landmarks or enjoy a picnic.
- Be nice. While
the high costs of gasoline may keep some families off the road this year, you'll probably encounter quite a few fellow road-trippers
anyway. But consider this: you're tired, they're tired, and highway driving (especially with little ones) can shorten our
collective fuses, making road rage all too common on our interstates. Some words to the wise: be nice. Use your signals.
Let faster drivers pass. Don't tailgate. Be patient with trucks and vacationing families in RVs. They have a right to the
road, too, and if we all can just learn to get along, the road can be an awfully fun place to spend time.
If you keep these travel tips in mind, you're well on your way to a relaxing and enjoyable summer
road trip season.
Winter Car Care Checklist:
Winter Specific Maintenance In addition to the
added perils of winter driving, the change in weather can bring peril to your car's systems. Freezing temps, salted roads
and wintery precipitation can gang up on your car if you don't give it a baseball-bat sized maintenance session. These winter
maintenance jobs will keep you out of trouble: - Check your antifreeze
Your antifreeze (the juice that goes in your radiator) is an essential part of your car's winter protection. Your car contains
a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50/50. Many service stations
and repair centers will check this mixture free, or you can buy a tester for around $5. You did remember to perform a radiator flush last spring, didn't you? - Inspect
your tires
The last line of defense between you and an oak tree are your tires. Winter is not the time
to get cheap about your tires, so take the time to check the tread depth. The National Highway Transportation Safety Board
says you need at least 2/32" of depth to be safe. It's been my experience, especially in winter weather, that anything
less than 4/32" (1/8") be replaced soon. The old penny test is as reliable as anything to find out whether your
treads are ready for winter action. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure. Believe it or not, they lose a little pressure
when it gets cold, so pump 'em up. - Replace your wipers
Wipers? What do your windshield wipers have to do with winter weather? Two things. First, anything falling from the sky
is going to end up on your windshield, and unless you have a team of beavers riding on the hood of your car the task of clearing
it falls on your wipers. Second, in areas that see snowfall in the winter, you're also driving through that soupy muck that's
left on the road once the highway department does their thing. This muck includes a lot of sand and salt, both of which end
up on your windshield. It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe. - Check your windshield washer fluid
You'll be using lots of washer fluid as you try to
keep your windshield sparkly. A mile stuck behind an 18-wheeler will have your windshield looking like a Desert Humvee if
you're low on washer fluid. *Tip: Don't fill your washer fluid reservoir with anything except washer fluid, it won't freeze!
Annual
Maintenance Procedures On top of the checks you need to perform to ensure safe winter driving, now's a good
time to do some annual maintenance. These aren't necessarily specific to winter driving, but it's a good point on the calendar
to get around to doing this stuff. - Clean your battery posts
Starting
problems are a bummer any time of year. Regularly treating your battery to a cleaning can keep electrical gremlins at bay.
- Inspect your spark plug wires
Cracked up plug wires
affect performance, gas mileage and general reliability. Be sure yours are in top shape. - Inspect your brakes
Brakes are not a good area to cut corners. Be sure your brakes have
enough meat left to get you through the season. - Check Your Engine Oil
This should go without saying and should be done at least monthly. But in case you're an amnesiac ... you should also do
an oil change!
Cold weather safety should be a concern for anybody living
in a cold climate. These tips will give you the upper hand when Old Man Winter tries to put a chill on your winter travels.
If you're extra curious about staying generally safe in winter weather, the National Weather Service has an excellent Winter Safety & Awareness guide that covers everything from how storms brew to a list of history's
billion dollar winter wonders. Wiper blades: Replace
worn, streaking or damaged blades. Consider winter ones that won't pack with snow and remain in contact with the glass.
Windows: Apply water repellent to windshield and windows to keep them free
of slush, salt and muck.
Doors, hatches and trunks: Apply silicone oil
or grease to all door, hatch and trunk-lid gaskets to preserve the rubber and prevent them from freezing shut.
Tires and brakes: Install winter tires (if you choose) or rotate your all-seasons. Inspect
the brake pads (disc brakes) or shoes (drum brakes) while tires are off. If they are scored or worn, replace them. Check the
air pressure on all tires, including the spare. In winter, tires lose 1 pound of pressure for each 10-degree drop in temperature.
Look for worn or uneven treads. Honest, Abe can help. Put a penny upside down in the tread and if any of Lincoln's hairline
shows, replace the tires. Some folks use a quarter, letting George Washington be their guide.
Paint:
Use professional touchup paint to seal any scratches or dings. After washing the car, wax and polish it.
Locks and hinges: A graphite-based or synthetic lubricant is recommended for locks, oil
for hinges.
Lights and light bulbs: Turn the lights on and walk around
the vehicle to check for burned-out bulbs; owner's manuals list replacements. Don't forget the high beams. Make sure headlights
are aimed properly.
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