Spring is the right time to get your vehicle ready for the busy summer driving season ahead. It's wise to have your vehicle checked out before summer's intense vacation traffic and stop-and-go situation begin earnestly.
The specialists at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence offer the tips below on preparing your car:
* Read the owner's manual and follow the recommended service schedules. Watch out "regular" vs. "severe" schedules proposed, and determine which is appropriate for your driving conditions and routine.
* Seek an orderly repair facility with modern equipment in the service bays and qualified automotive technicians being staff, as shown by trade school qualifications, certificates of advanced course work and training, as well as national certification of the individual technicians by ASE.
* Cleanse and replenish the cooling system (radiator) according to the service manual's recommendations. The level, condition and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. Make sure the engine has cooled down before taking off the radiator cap. Engine overheating is the most common summer breakdown.
* Have engine performance problems corrected, such as hard starts, tough idling and stalling. You'll get improved gasoline mileage, and you could prevent more expensive repairs.
* Don't neglect your transmission and brakes. Costly repairs can be avoided by periodic service. Neglected brakes can give rise to safety issues, too.
* Seek out a skilled auto technician to verify the condition of belts, clamps and hoses, but be proactive by looking for signs of wear, cracking or fraying.
* Have a marginally operating air conditioner system serviced by a technician qualified to deal with refrigerants. Older units often contain ozone-depleting compounds that could be let out into the air through irregular or incompetent service.
* Replace the oil and oil filter as specified in the owner's manual. This simple, inexpensive service can increase the life of your vehicle.
* Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV) as suggested in the service manual.
* Verify the condition of tires, including the spare. Let the tires "cool down" before checking their pressure. Uneven wear, "cupping", vibrations or "pulling" to one side points to troubles with your tires or suspension system.
* Replace your headlights with some good aftermarket headlights. Good custom headlights or even just a nice new set of H11 bulbs for your standard lights will make a vast difference when you're traveling in dark. Very rarely do you realize how dim your headlights are until you upgrade. It is likely that the winter road grim has spoiled your lenses to the point where they really need to be replaced.
4-Wheel Drive Suggestions For Most Of The Beginners To The Activity
Congratulations on taking the plunge and renting or buying a 4x4 for an awesome off-road adventure! As a newbie to the wonderful world of 4x4 this article is for you.
3 Important Reasons To Always Have A 12v Winch On Your 4x4
Did you ever consider that maybe you should always have a 12v winch on your 4x4? That thought has occurred to many people.
Auto Accident Settlement Calculator - Get What You Deserve Out Of Your Automobile Accident Claim
Are you trying to find an auto accident settlement calculator? In this article we are going to talk more about getting a good hunk of change when it comes to your car crash claim.
You'll Find JBL GTO527 Speakers Carry Music To Life In Which You Have Certainly Not Experienced Before
I knew that JBL produced high quality audio products, so I was expecting these JBL GTO527 Speakers to live up to the reputation. The first thing I checked was to see if these speakers would fit properly in the door panels of the car.
Whiplash Injury Compensation - What Can Be Done To Acquire Your Auto Accident Settlement Money
Are you wondering about whiplash injury compensation? In this article we are going to talk more about this injury and what you can do to get your auto accident settlement money.
Low-Cost Car Stereos Under $100 By One Of The Most Well Known Manufacturer: JVC
JVC is a well-known and reliable manufacturer of A/V equipment whose quality products can be found in major retail chains, specialty stores and online outlets.
What You Should Seek Out Any Time Searching For Low-Cost Car Stereo Audios
Whenever you hear the word cheap, you think of poor quality, but it's not always like that. There are some items that you can buy for less than you'd expect with excellent quality such as cheap car stereos.