Under the Hood – You and Your Car

As you are making your summer trip preparations, I thought it would be a good time to talk about having your vehicle prepared. Whether we are talking about going for an in-state trip, or going off to the other side of the country, your vehicle needs to be safe and reliable. So here are a few things to be prepared for your summer trip.

• Engine Oil – I recommend having oil changes regularly depending on the type of oil and vehicle manufacture’s recommendations. This could be at 3,000, 5,000 or 7,000 miles. In addition to changing the oil, the oil filter is replaced as well as lubricating the chassis as required. Be sure to check the air filter while under the hood. To maximize fuel economy, consider semi-synthetic or fully synthetic engine oil.

• Tires – Tires need to have pressures checked monthly, and I like to also check them before any trips. This will maximize your fuel economy as well as extend the life of the tires. While checking the pressure, check the tread of the tires. There needs to be at least 2/32” of tread for safe driving especially for wet weather driving. An easy way to check the tread depth is using a penny. Put Lincoln’s head in the groove of the tread and if his entire head is exposed, put the penny back in your pocket and go get a new tire!

• Lights – Do a walk around and check all the lights. Check all the turn, stop and running lamps. Make sure the high beams are working as well. It will be easier if you have an assistant so you can check the lights quickly. You can also check the horn too while your assistant is in front of the vehicle to make sure it works!

• Headlights – When was the last time you had your headlights aimed? Your night time vision can be greatly reduced with poorly aimed headlights. Think about all the times you are blinded by a driver with out-of-focus lights. Another tip I give people is to use some glass cleaner and a soft rag to clean the headlamps especially this time of the year with all the bugs. It can improve the brightness as much as 20 percent.

• Wiper Blades – Check the wiper blades for tearing of the rubber cleaning edge. Also look at the blade holder, they can become worn and loose which will cause chattering. If the blades need replacing, I recommend replacing the entire assembly because of the wear that occurs on the holder. Sometimes if the blades look good but chatter, you can clean the strip with a cloth rag and rubbing alcohol. By the way, make sure your washer fluid reservoir is full.

• Engine Coolant – Make sure the coolant level is full. Check the coolant when the engine is cold. If you have a coolant tester to check the freeze protection, it should be good for -25 below or better. Properly mixed coolant will help the car run cooler in the heat of the summer. Also, when the coolant is in the tester, you should check the clarity of the coolant. It will be colored and you should be able see through it.

• Belts – Check your belts for cracking, glazing, cuts and proper tension. Over time belts will deteriorate and the first warning sign is usually noise. Belts can squeal or chirp if loose or cracked. Also automatic belt tensioners will wear at their pivot and cause a belt to track crooked causing noise and a belt to possibly come off when wet.

• Brake Fluid – Be sure the brake fluid is full. If the fluid is low it may be a sign of worn brake pads or a leaking brake line or other brake component. If the fluid is low, top it off with the correct fluid spec (DOT 3 or DOT 4) which will be identified on the filler cap. Then have your brakes inspected by a professional. By the way, I recommend an annual brake inspection for piece of mind and planning.