SAFE SUMMER TRAVELS

VEHICLE CHECKLIST

Those long awaited summer trips are just about here! Before venturing off to your vacation destination, we recommend having these items on your vehicle inspected to ensure a safe and breakdown-free journey.

1. Tire Pressure
   Over-inflated tires ride roughly and suffer premature wear at the center of their tread. Under-inflated tires decrease fuel economy, cause imprecise handling, suffer premature wear at the edges of their tread, and can overheat and fail at highway speeds. Tires typically lose about one pound of pressure per month through normal seepage, and as seasons change, tires lose or gain another pound of inflation pressure with every 10 degree change in outside temperature. Tire pressure is specific to your vehicle, not the tire. Reference your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the correct measurement.
2. Tire Tread
   The four points where the rubber meets the road are the only things that stand between you and an accident. In wet road conditions, having good tires with sufficient tread depth is crucial. Worn tires with inadequate tread are much more likely to hydroplane on wet pavement, resulting in a loss of braking power and steering control.
3. Engine Air Filter
   Your vehicle’s air filter prevents dust and dirt from entering the engine. A dirty or clogged air filter restricts airflow and will reduce engine performance and fuel economy while increasing exhaust emission levels.
4. Battery Cables/Clamps/Terminals
   Power from the battery flows to the rest of your vehicle’s electrical system through the cables, clamps and terminals. If these components and connections become corroded or loose, your car won’t have the power needed to start the engine and operate other systems.
5. Windshield Washer Fluid
   Rain, insects, grime and other debris on your windshield will compromise your vision if they cannot be removed by your windshield wipers. A supply of the proper washer fluid will help your wipers remove these contaminants effectively.
6. Engine Oil
   Oil is the lifeblood of your engine. Without an adequate supply of clean oil, your engine will wear more rapidly, and could even seize and be destroyed. Oil doesn’t freeze like water, but its viscosity (thickness) does increase as the mercury drops. Lighter grade oils reduce the load on your car’s battery and starter, allowing more rapid cranking and starting. Lighter oils also reach critical engine lubrication areas much quicker than heavier oils, greatly reducing wear.
7. Windshield Wiper Blades
   Windshield wipers are easy to overlook until you find yourself in a pounding rainstorm. If your wiper blades are worn, cracked or rigid with age, the wipers will not adequately remove rain, grime and other debris that can obscure your vision.
8. Antifreeze/Coolant Protection
   The primary task of an engine coolant is to transfer heat from the engine to the radiator where it is removed by the passing airflow. Modern engine coolants also prevent the cooling system from freezing or boiling, protect the engine and cooling system from rust and corrosion, and lubricate the water pump seals and other cooling system components.
9. Drive Belt Tensioner
   One or more rubber drive belts transfer the rotation of the engine’s crankshaft to various accessories that help your vehicle function properly. Belts that are too loose will allow slippage and reduce efficiency. Belts that are too tight can damage bearings and cause premature component failure.
10. Brake Fluid
    The fluid in your car’s brake hydraulic system transfers your foot pressure at the brake pedal into stopping power at the wheels. An adequate supply of clean brake fluid is absolutely essential for safe vehicle operation. Old, moisture-contaminated brake fluid, or a low fluid level that allows air to enter the system, can lead to brake fade or a complete loss of braking power.

Always reference the owner’s manual for maintenance specific to your vehicle’s needs. And make sure you have the right level of insurance protection in case something unexpected occurs.

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