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AUTOMOTIVE TIPS
SUMMER IS COMING SOON, AND IT IS TIME TO GET YOUR VEHICLE READY FOR THE HOT WEATHER!
Below you will find tips and sugguestions on readying
your car for summer and vacation trips.
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CHECK YOUR COOLANT!
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of checking or having your coolant checked on a regular basis. Now that summer is near and things will be heating up, you dont want your car to be one of them. On newer cars, this is best performed by an ASE certified auto technican. A yearly flush and fill of the coolant system is highly recommended, particiuarly if you will be towing a trailer during the hot summer months. No one wants to overheat on the way to the lake!
On 1998 and newer vehicles, you may have "extended life coolant", which does not need servicing for 5 year or 100,000 miles. There should be an extended life coolant sticker located on your radiater fill bottle if you have this type of coolant.
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Don't let a hot car
slow you down.
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SERVICE YOUR A/C UNIT
FIRST: Determine if your A/C system is in need of service. To do this start your car and turn on the A/C. If A/C gets cold within 5 minutes, and stays cold your A/C is ok and no further check is necessary. If your A/C is not cold within 5 mninutes, then you have a problem.
SECOND: To determine the actual problem, it is best to have your A/C system checked by an ASE certified auto techincan. But, if you want to get a genral idea of what the problem is, lift your hood, start your engine and turn your A/C on. Put on the emergency brake, get out and stand in front of the vehicle. Listen for the A/C clutch to turn on. If it dosen't turn on, you have one of two problems. Either your car is low on freon or you have an electrical problem. *Note if you have a 96 or newer model car, and some earlier model Cadillac and Lincoln Towncars, Chrsyler New Yorkers, and Intepeids, this may be a computer problems. Any of the above problems should be diagnosed and repaired by an ASE Certified Auto Technicain. It is no longer legal to buy or install your own freon.
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Keep your cool this summer.
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BEFORE LEAVING FOR VACATION.
Check your tires for proper inflation using a tire guage according to your vehicle manufacturers instructions, usualy found on the drivers door jamb. When the engine is cold, check belts for cracks, fraying and excessive wear, replace if needed. Check hoses by squeezing. If they feel "squishy", have splits or cracks or have oil spills on them, they will need to be changed. Check wiper fluid and refill if needed. Examine wiper blades for cracks, splits, and missing rubber. If you have experienced an imcomplete wiping pattern, the blades are probably in need of replacement.
These tips should help to insure a trouble free vacation.
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Have a fun and safe trip!
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