Beat the Heat Car Care

Car trouble threatens millions of family vacations every year. AAA and Cross Country Motor Services report 50 percent increases in highway service and emergency calls during the summer months. Most noteworthy: flat tires, engines overheating, and vehicle lockouts. To avoid motor-travel interruptis, consider the following simple precautionary measures before mapping out your next excursion.

1. Tires. Check for uneven wear, cracking, peeling or bumps along the sidewall. Rotate, balance, and inflate all four tires to the manufacturers recommended PSI for a fully loaded vehicle.
2. Oil. Change your auto’s oil. Synthetic oil resists breakdown in high heat and humidity. Oil changes are recommended every 3,000 miles and should be done by a reputable dealer using OEM parts.
3. Battery. The average lifespan of a battery is three years. Extreme heat or cold will reduce the life expectancy to two years or less. Determine how old your battery is and check for dry cells. Fill the liquid cavities with distilled water only! Clean off any corrosion around the posts or metal connectors. Tighten all cables and secure the battery in its’ housing.
4. Washer fluid. Fill all washer fluid reservoirs. Vehicles with rear wipers often have a second container located in the rear near the light housing and accessible through the trunk interior.
5. Brake and Transmission fluid. Automobile manufacturers place important fluids in clear containers often marked with yellow caps to make them easier to find under the hood. Healthy transmission fluid should be red. If the color is dark brown or smells burnt, it is time to change it. Brake fluid is clear or slightly yellow and must be filled to the marking on the container. Any noticeable change in the vehicles braking response should be discussed with a certified auto technician immediately.
6. Coolant. Coolant breaks down from severe hot or cold, causing poor driving performance, engine overheating or irreversible damage to the motor. A complete coolant or radiator flush should be done according to your owner’s manual and no less than every two years or 24,000 miles in extreme climates. Read the container label carefully for instructions on mixing the specific number of parts water to the number of parts concentrate, when refilling your radiator.