Get a Routine Summer Car Maintenance Check
Summer
is upon us, and millions of Americans are going to be
out on the road while on vacation. However, many of
these trips are interrupted by vehicle breakdowns, which
are preventable with some simple and quick checks before
getting on the road.
A
bit of caution: Always check your fluids and tire pressure
when your car is cold (i.e. has not been running for
at least one hour). Not only does temperature affect
the level of fluids in your engine, but checking these
levels could also lead to injury if you contact hot
parts of the engine.
Check
Your Tires
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When tire tread is worn
it's
time to replace your tires. |
The
air pressure inside a tire is more important than many
people think. Too low or too high an air pressure can
result in rapid and uneven wear and possibly failure
of the tire. Here are a few tips to bear in mind for
tire maintenance:
-
Always
check your tire air pressure before going on a long
trip-an inexpensive tire pressure gauge will cost
only 4 or 5 dollars at a local auto parts store.
-
Check
your tire air pressure in the morning after the car
has been sitting overnight.
-
Always
check your tire air pressure when your tires are cool
- tires heat up from driving, and the air pressure
changes inside them.
-
While
you are checking the air in your tires, look at
the condition of the tread. The best indication
of tire wear is to look for the tires Wear Bars.
Wear Bars are small ridges of rubber that are set
into the groove of a tire. See the picture below.
Check
Your Oil
Oil
is the lifeblood of every automobile — checking and
changing your oil regularly will not only ensure that
your car operates at optimal performance, but can also
prevent costly repairs over time. You should check your
oil level once a month, and before every long trip.
All you need are a few paper towels. Here's how to do
it:
1.
Open up the hood of your car and look for the OIL
DIPSTICK. The oil dipstick is usally is brightly colored
(red or yellow).
2.
Use one hand to pull the dipstick out. Hold a paper
towel in the other hand to catch the end of the dipstick
when it comes out of your engine.
3. Wipe off the oil on the dipstick so that you can get a good reading of how much oil is in your engine.
4. Reinsert the dipstick and let it sit for a few seconds so that you get a good measurement of how much oil is in your engine.
5. Pull the dipstick out and look at the end that was inside the engine. Every car has a different way of marking the end of the dipstick, but there should be two markings, one for full and one for low. The "low mark will be closer to the end of the dipstick than the "full" mark. The oil level should be in between these two marks.
6. If your oil is low, you should add some oil. If you haven't had your oil changed recently, take this opportunity to have it done. Otherwise you may just want to visit the gas station and buy a quart of oil and add it yourself.
7. Review your automobile owner's manual to determine what kind of oil you should use and how frequently regular oil changes are recommended.
Check Your Coolant
NEVER CHECK YOUR COOLANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT! Engine coolant reaches very high temperatures, and when the cooling system is hot, it may become pressurized.
The best way to check the level of coolant in your engine is to look for the Coolant Tank. This is generally a translucent plastic tank mounted near the front of the engine compartment. It should have a cap on it that reads "Coolant". All coolant tanks have markings on them to indicate the level of the coolant, usually a line is printed, molded or embossed on the side of the tank.. Make sure that your coolant level is above that line. In a pinch, you can add water to the cooling system, but it is best to use a mixture of ½ water to ½ automobile coolant.
By following these guidelines, you can safely add miles onto the life of your tires and your engine, as well as avoid annoying breakdowns and unnecessary repairs.
As the founder and President of AutoHeroes, Christopher Burdick is personally involved in all aspects of customer relations and dealer negotiations. A self-described "car-nut", Chris got the idea for AutoHeroes after informally helping friends and family members buy their cars with great results. Chris has combined his professional sales & customer service experience with a passion for cars to turn AutoHeroes into a full-fledged consumer service.
AutoHeroes website: www.autoheroes.com.
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