Driving Tips
Experts Offer Car Maintenance Tips For Your Next Trip
You've
packed and you're ready for vacation. You've got your hotel
reserved, packed some snacks for the drive, and a few tunes to
listen to along the way. One of the first things we often forget
to check of our travel list is whether our cars are ready for
the road, and here are some tips for your next trip.
Before a long trip it is a good idea to have a qualified technician check the tightness and condition of your car’s belts, clamps and hoses. You never know when something's going to happen, and more than likely it will happen on the road unless you're prepared. Experts at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), the group that tests and certifies automotive technicians offers these tips:
- Change the oil and oil filter as specified in the owner’s manual.
- Check the condition of tires, including the spare. Let tires “cool down” before checking air pressure.
- Have drivability problems—hard starts, rough idling, stalling-corrected for better gas mileage and peace of mind.
- Flush and refill the cooling system (radiator) according to the service manual’s recommendations and safety warnings.
- Have a marginally operating air-conditioner system serviced.
- Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV, etc.) as recommended.
- Inspect all lights and bulbs; replace burned-out bulbs.
- Replace worn wiper blades and top off the washer fluid to fight summer’s dust and insects.
- If you’re not a do-it-yourselfer, look for repair facilities that employ ASE-certified technicians.
Once you've checked all or a few of the items on this list you're ready to go, and have a safer trip. And, you'll be ready for your next adventure knowing you've taken steps to guard against unexpected breakdowns.
By Leroy Worley