| June 5th, 2009 by admin |
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Summer Car Maintenance: Getting Your Car Ready For The Road
Summer Car Maintenance: Getting Your Car Ready For The Road
You should always keep your vehicle well-maintained. This is especially important during the summer because that’s when you’re most likely to take road trips. Investing a little time and money upfront will help ensure your car does not leave you stranded at the side of the road. That’s good planning.
Most drivers are understandably less than enthused by the prospect of popping the hood and getting their hands dirty. But, cleaning or replacing parts doesn’t need to be complicated or time-intensive. This article will provide a quick maintenance blueprint that you can use to make sure your vehicle is roadworthy.
Check The Tires
Your tires are the only part of your car that touches the ground. They’re in constant use, yet most people neglect to check their pressure or tread wear. If you don’t have enough pressure in your tires, your engine will have to work harder to move your automobile. That influences your fuel economy. Meanwhile, shallow treads can represent a safety issue, especially if you plan to drive in wet weather. Invest a few minutes to inspect the pressure and treads.
Check The Brakes
Brake pads and shoes wear down after continuous use. When they do, your ability to slow and stop your automobile will be affected. Like excess tread wear, this is a safety issue. The good news is that you can normally check your brake pads at home without needing to take your vehicle to a repair shop. If you bend down to inspect one of your wheels, you should be able to see the amount of space between the pad and the disc. A 1/4″ space is good. A 1/8″ space is a sign that the pads need to be replaced.
Change The Radiator Coolant
People seldom think about the coolant contained in their radiator, but it has an important job to do: to help keep your cooling system working properly. However, like the oil which lubricates your engine, the coolant begins to break down over time. When that happens, it becomes less able to do its job. Your radiator will eventually suffer corrosion and require expensive repairs. Take the time to have the coolant replaced every few years. If you plan to take a road trip, check it before leaving.
Change Your Air Filter
Your vehicle’s air filter plays a key role in your engine’s performance and health. Its purpose is to catch dirt and debris before they reach your engine. If it performs that job effectively, it will eventually become clogged. A clogged filter will block air flow to the engine and impede its performance. You should already be in the habit of checking it often. Definitely do so before leaving on a road trip; it only takes a minute to inspect.
Getting your car ready for the summer doesn’t have to require spending a lot of time or money. The attention you give to a few maintenance items today will help ensure you won’t experience automotive trouble tomorrow.
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