Summer is almost here! It's a good time to do some routine checks of your vehicle before taking a trip and it's easy to do it yourself. About.com's Auto Repair section has some very useful how-to links:
Radiator Flush: The coolant in your radiator doesn't last forever. Over time it can break down and start to corrode the inside of your radiator. This can lead to cooling problems and radiator repair. A radiator flush once a year is cheap insurance against radiator repairs.
Replace Your Air Filter: You should replace your air filter twice a year, so now's a good time to get that 5-minute job out of the way.
Tire Checks: Summer traveling could mean driving in the rain. The tread on your tires must be adequate for rainy weather or you could end up in a ditch, or worse. Checking the tread depth on your tires take one minute. While you're at it, you should check your tire pressure, too.
Replace Your Windshield Wipers: Winter weather can be brutal to your windshield wipers, making them almost useless if you get caught in a summer rain shower. Replace them at the beginning of the summer and you won't have to worry.
Inspect Your Brakes: It's a good idea to inspect your brakes twice a year just to be sure everything is up to snuff. Car safety should always be a top priority. Go ahead and check your brake fluid while you're at it.
Check Your Battery: Corrosion is very likely to build up during winter weather driving. Check your battery posts and cables to ensure you'll have no starting problems.
Check Your Headlights: Sometimes you don't notice that you have a bulb out. Now's a good time to take a look to see if you need to replace a headlight bulb. Not only is it unsafe to drive with one headlight, you can get a ticket!
Also important is checking your oil every 3000 to 5000 miles. Keeping the oil from getting too low preserves the life of your engine. Checking the fuel filter is also recommended but might be better done by professionals. Changing a clogged fuel filter can increase your vehicle's fuel economy and performance which is wise before heading out on a long road trip!
It's essential to bring lots of water when traveling, especially when driving through the desert. Also, it's a good idea to travel with an roadside emergency kit. Check out this checklist from Consumer Reports:
We hope you have a safe and fun Summer! Come see us at one of our FooteWork offices, located in Prescott, Prescott Valley, and Williams, Arizona for any of your auto, RV, motocycle, OHV, boat, or aircraft title and registration needs. We also do Level 1 Inspections to check vehicle ownership both on and off site and abandoned vehicle, towing and salvage yard inspections as well as many more motor vehicle services.
Happy Summer!
