Summer Car Care Tips for Safe Vacation Driving

June 15, 2005 -- Heat and friction are the number one reason why wear occurs in an automobile. These forces can also significantly reduce fuel economy. As the weather becomes hot and muggy this summer, increased stress occurs on all critical moving parts for the millions of vehicles that will venture out on the roads this vacation season. Safe travels, avoiding breakdowns and maximizing fuel economy is the recommendation this summer from Joel Burrows, a.k.a. "The Car Doctor" and veteran trainer at Precision Tune Auto Care. Preventative maintenance is the key for a healthy travel experience.

Vehicles run on a fine film of fluids and properly servicing these fluids and their respective filters can have a significant effect on vehicle reliability and fuel economy. In addition, rubber components wear and this wear is often not visible even to the most experienced service professional, especially when it comes to tires and hoses. Now that most of us use self service stations it's up to vehicle owners to become more knowledgeable about car care by performing inspections of fluids, belts, hoses and tires.

Fluids: Checking the oil should be done after the vehicle has been off for at least three minutes and is on a level surface. With engine oil pan designs this is the only accurate way to get a correct oil level reading. Remove then wipe clean the oil dipstick, reinsert it, and then take it out again to check the level of the oil . Most dipsticks have 'add' printed at a marked point. Anything below may indicate the need to add oil. Don't have a dipstick Don't worry. Certain vehicle designs do not have dipsticks. These vehicles will have oil-monitoring systems that alert the driver when the vehicle is low on oil. Consulting the vehicle's owner's manual can be very useful in determining not only how to check the oil in your specific vehicle, but the correct amount and type of oil to add as well. For better performance and a longer lasting engine, the oil should be totally changed every three to five thousand miles, depending on climate and driving conditions. How do you tell if the oil is dirty "Even experts have a difficult time with this question," noted Burrows. "Depending on how frequently the oil has been changed will determine how quickly the oil 'appears' to be 'dark' on the dipstick instead of a clear gold color." Burrows recommends keeping a careful record of how many miles or how long between oil changes, to help stick to a strict maintenance schedule. All fluids should be serviced regularly. Fluids are the heart beat of your vehicle's life support system.

Filters: The oil filter should also be changed every time you change the oil . The oil filter removes micro fine particles from the oil that can act as an abrasive to critical moving engine parts. If the filter is not changed regularly and becomes restricted, then something called a bypass valve in the filter will allow dirty oil to circulate through the engine. Vehicles contain numerous filters and the best preventative maintenance is to service them regularly.

Belts and Hoses: To inspect belts and hoses, simply look at them. If the belts appear to be cracked or worn, it's time to replace them. Through inspection, drivers can eliminate costly repairs resulting from their failure on the highway. Hoses need replacing when they get soft or start to bulge. Hoses can be tricky in that they wear from the inside, so limiting your inspection to just a look can over-look a potential wear issue. An ASE certified technician can perform a cooling system pressure test which allows the greatest opportunity to determine if a weakness exists in rubber cooling system components.

Tires: Make sure tires are properly inflated. Using a tire air pressure gauge, check your tires at home or at your nearest gas station to make sure your tires are not warmed up. Tires should be inflated when cold and the proper inflation level can be found in'the vehicle's owner's manual or on the driver's side door jamb, gas cap cover, or trunk deck lid. Tires wear from the inside out and while the tread and appearance of the tires may look acceptable, internal wear may be an issue. The most common reason for wear is improper tire inflation. If your tires are more than five years old recent studies suggest that you have them replaced, regardless of their external condition. In addition, proper tire inflation is critical for fuel economy.

Consumers who are car care aware can get a lot better efficiency from their engines and emit fewer pollutants this summer. Having carbon deposits removed from the vehicle's air intake system and fuel injectors is one of the best ways to increase fuel economy in today's sophisticated computer controlled vehicles. Talk to your professional service provider about this valuable and fuel saving service.

PTAC is "America's Neighborhood Auto Care Experts" for scheduled maintenance, service and repairs for autos, SUVs and minivans. For more than 25 years they have been the pioneers in advanced diagnostic training and development servicing over 2.5 million vehicles in 2004. PTAC has franchised 413 state-of-the-art professional service facilities throughout the world and is a leader in educating the public on the importance of car care for personal safety and the health of the environment. (www.precisiontune.com)

Summer Car Care Tips for Safe Vacation Driving

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Summer Car Care Tips for Safe Vacation Driving

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