Is Your Car Road Trip Ready?

Summer is finally here! School is out and many are planning summer trips. If your plans include a good road trip, make sure your vehicle is as ready as you are to hit the road.

1. Light it up.
Check your headlights (high-beams too), taillights, turn signals, reverse lights and horn. If you have fog lights check them too. Ensuring your headlights are aligned to shine on the road rather than in the eyes of oncoming drivers.



2. Breathe easy. 
Change air filters every 12,000 miles or every 6 months. Its just like your furnace filter at home. Be sure to get a quality name brand filter. This will give you better fuel economy and performance.

3. Keep your shine on. 
A vehicle’s exterior can be damaged by sunlight, UV radiation, acid rain, salt, dirt, and air pollution. To protect the paint and finish, vehicles should be washed weekly. Make sure you give those wheels a good rinse too.

4. Where the rubber meets the road. 
Tires need special care in warmer weather as summer heat puts added stress on them. To maximize tire life and safety, check your tire's condition, tread depth, and inflation pressure monthly. Have the tires rotated every 6,000 miles. Remember: heat will cause the tire's pressure to rise, be sure to check the pressure when tires are cold, perhaps in the morning. Be sure to remove ‘winter tires’, their deeper tread is not meant to long distance travel or warmer temperatures.

5. Don't melt your motor! 
Your car's cooling system works harder during hot temperatures to prevent engine overheating. To prepare your cooling system for summer, you'll want to check the radiator and hoses for leaks or cracks. Be sure all the connections are snug. The reservoir level should be half full and if it is low, add coolant or antifreeze. Warning: never open a hot radiator cap when checking the coolant level. Check your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual for the proper coolant change interval. This will keep the cooling system fresh and clean inside, which helps prevent corrosion and assures that the coolant has the proper boiling point and protection. Despite all your efforts to inspect the cooling system and keep your coolant levels up, your engine could still overheat. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge on your dashboard. If you see the engine getting too hot, you can take immediate action by turning on the heat―this pulls hot air off the engine block. Allow your engine time to cool down, because overheating can cause permanent damage to the engine.

6. Will your battery "keep going and going"?
Excessive heat and overcharging shorten the life of your battery. Heat can evaporate battery fluid and permanently damage internal battery parts. A bad voltage regulator will over-charge your battery eventually destroying it. Check the top of your battery. Is it clean? Dirt can become a conductor draining battery power. If corrosion accumulates on battery terminals, it becomes an insulator, reducing your battery's power.

7. Keep your cool.
 Does your air conditioner blow out ice cold air? If not the 2 leading causes are Freon and bugs. The amount of Freon in the system is extremely critical. The manufacturer installs the exact amount that is required for the system to perform at its peak. This exact charge is so critical it is documented in the vehicle’s engine compartment down to the ounce. A few ounces short of a full charge can result in inadequate cooling under high heat loads due to lack of reserve refrigerant. A few ounces of overcharge can cause poor cooling performance just as much as low Freon levels.
Another common problem is a radiator or condenser that has been clogged with bugs, dust and dirt, or road debris and trash. This junk reduces the airflow that passes through the radiator and then through the condenser. This can knock several degrees off the temperature coming though your cabin vents.

8. Stop and Go. Have you checked your brakes lately? Wet weather, hot temps, and stop and go traffic can increase wear on brake pads. If you can’t remember the last time your replaced the pads, get them checked.   

9. Towing the load. Plan on towing this summer? Check your Owner’s Manual for information about how much weight your vehicle can safely pull (and stop!). Some vehicles have added manufacturer tow packages and some owners prefer aftermarket tow packages. Whichever you choose- be sure you vehicle can handle the weight.

10. Preparation is Key. Vehicle care is important but emergencies do happen. Invest in a good Emergency Kit. Jumper cables, flares, first aid supplies, and water are always a good idea to have in the vehicle year round. Kits and supplies are available to purchase at most home goods stores, auto centers, and dealerships.

Have a fun and safe summer!