Optima
Batteries Beat the Heat During Road Trips
Summer
is here and that means many people will soon jump in their cars and head out for
vacation. The combination of summer heat and long road trips means vehicle owners
need to take preventative measures to make sure their vehicles are ready for the
trip ahead. Getting stuck in a parking lot or alongside a busy highway can be
extremely dangerous and costly.
Courtney Caldwell, Editor-in-Chief of
ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine, offers the following tips to prepare your vehicle
for summer road trips:
Check the coolant level and other fluids
Antifreeze should be replaced annually in most vehicles and the cooling
system should be checked, flushed and filled before a long road trip. There are
several other fluids, in addition to antifreeze, that require attention prior
to summer travel, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission
fluids and windshield washer solvent.
Inspect
your battery
Winter weather often gets the blame for battery failure, but it's the
summer heat that does the most damage to a battery. With traditional lead-acid
batteries you should clean all surfaces and ensure a clean connection between
the posts and cables. If battery caps are removable, check the fluid level. Avoid
contact with corrosive deposits and battery acid. Wear eye protection and rubber
gloves. Advanced technology batteries with SpiralCell Technology, like OPTIMA
batteries, require no maintenance and are more resistant to the negative effects
of heat. These batteries are available in RedTop, YellowTop and BlueTop models.
OPTIMA Batteries also eliminate the problem of corrosion between posts and cable
connections. They are made to handle heavy vibration and increased vehicle electronics
and accessories.
Examine hoses and belts
Because extreme heat can cause leaks and other damage, keep
an eye out for worn or cracked hoses. A belt that fails can affect the electrical
system, air conditioning and power steering, as well as the cooling system. A
damaged or loose belt can cause the engine to overheat. Not replacing the belt
as required could cause a breakdown or serious engine problems. Cooling system
hoses may be deteriorating from within, so old hoses and clamps in marginal condition
should be replaced.
Maximize performance
and gas mileage
Replace damaged or missing gas caps -- about
17 percent of the vehicles on the road have gas caps that are either damaged,
loose or are missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize
every year. Make sure tires are inflated -- when tires aren't inflated properly
it's like driving with the parking brake on and can cost a mile or two per gallon.
Dirty air filters -- an air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes
off the air and creates a "rich" mixture -- too much gas being burned
for the amount of air, which wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power. Replacing
a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
Vehicle owners have many responsibilities when it comes to creating that special
summer vacation for themselves and their families. But, one of the most important
duties they have is to perform proper maintenance on their vehicle before heading
out on any road trip. The tips offered here can prevent expensive replacement
and maintenance costs and will ensure smooth, worry-free summer travel.
About OPTIMA Batteries
OPTIMA batteries are manufactured by Johnson Controls. Johnson Controls
is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and control.
In the automotive market, it is a major supplier of integrated seating and interior
systems, and batteries. For more information visit optimabatteries.com
and autobatteries.com.
(Source:
Optima) |
