Cool Tips For A Safe Summer Trip

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 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. 

       Precision Auto Repair 11110 61 Street          Phone  763.497.1677

       Visit us www.precsionautorp.com 

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