Auto Club: Before Your Summer Vacation Road Trip, Summer-ize Your Car

Auto Club: Before Your Summer Vacation Road Trip, Summer-ize Your Car

Temperatures are rising slowly right now, but the summer heat is just around the corner. The Automobile Club of Southern California is urging motorists to “summer-ize” their cars and trucks as they get ready to traverse the nation’s highways for vacations, family reunions and trips to theme parks.

“Summer road trips usually go hand-in-hand with hot temperatures,” said the Auto Club’s Approved Auto Repair Program Development Manager Dave Skaien. “A road trip during the summer months likely will involve driving in heat that’s 90 to 100 degrees. At those temperatures, breakdowns happen to cars that aren’t prepared for hot weather,” said Skaien. “The number of Auto Club members experiencing breakdowns increases by 50 percent when the temperature hits the 90s and 100s on summer days.”

Many motorists know that hot weather contributes to radiators overheating, but extreme heat also can sap weak batteries of their remaining energy, cripple air conditioning systems and create or enlarge hose leaks and snap worn belts.

To assist motorists in locating reliable mechanics that provide high quality maintenance and repairs and guarantee their work, the Auto Club has certified more than 600 auto repair shops in Southern California as “Approved Auto Repair” facilities. These facilities undergo regular inspections and must maintain rigorous standards of service, use quality repair equipment and employ properly trained technicians. To find the nearest Auto Club-Approved Auto Repair facility, log on to www.AAA.com, or call 1-800-713-0003 or visit one of 75 local Auto Club offices to pick up a booklet listing the shops in the AAR network.

Before packing the luggage and getting the children into the car, motorists should check the following maintenance items, or have them checked by a trustworthy or certified auto mechanic:
– Inspect the antifreeze/coolant level. Make sure the mixture of water
and coolant is the mixture that’s specified in the vehicle owner’s manual.
Also check to make sure the coolant has been flushed and changed as
recommended by the vehicle maintenance schedule.

– Inspect and replace worn or cracked belts, as well as hoses that are
worn, cracked, blistered, brittle, or too soft. Even belts and hoses that
look fine, should be replaced as a safety precaution, if more than 5 years
old.

– Check tires for uneven wear or excessive tread wear and make sure all
tires, including the spare, are properly inflated. Inflate tires to
recommended pressure. Under-inflated tires are a safety hazard and can cut
gas mileage by as much as two percent per pound of pressure below the
recommended level.

– Check the level and condition of engine oil. When driving under
extreme conditions such as 90 to 100-plus degree temperatures, or when
towing a heavy trailer, consider switching to heavier motor oil. Check the
owner’s manual “severe driving conditions” section for oil recommendations.

– Since high temperatures can compromise batteries, test and replace old
or weak batteries. Be sure to check the water level of batteries with
removable cell caps. If the battery is more than three years old, have it
tested during each maintenance service and if it’s more than 5 years old,
consider replacing it due to age.

– Check the transmission fluid for the correct level and that it doesn’t
smell burnt or look dirty, since heat can make the fluid less effective.
This is especially important for vehicles that are used for towing. Check
the owners’ manual for the right type of transmission fluid to use and the
proper interval for service and replacement.

– Inspect brake fluid for proper level and condition. Low brake fluid
could indicate excessive brake wear or fluid leak. Dirty brake fluid that
is dark colored like coffee indicates contamination or moisture in the
brake fluid. A thorough inspection of the brakes and flushing of the brake
fluid is probably needed.

– Inspect power steering fluid for proper level and condition. Low
power steering fluid can cause damage to the power steering system and
dirty and or burnt power steering fluid can lead to premature power
steering failure.

– Don’t leave home without fresh windshield wiper blades and the
“forgotten” fluid, windshield washer fluid. Fresh blades and windshield
washer fluid will help to remove road dirt and insects from your
windshield. Use pre-mixed fluid, not water from a garden hose. The
premixed fluid contains ingredients that won’t harm exterior vehicle paint.

Even well maintained cars and trucks can break down, so on long trips; bring drinking water, a windshield shade, and a wireless phone. Also pack a comprehensive emergency kit with a flashlight, a basic tool kit, a gallon of water and a gallon of coolant.