Cracked hoses and belts, leaky radiators and water pump, under inflated tires and dirty filters can considerably lower your fuel mileage or worse, cause a complete breakdown of your car. When you arrive at your destination, the last thing you want to have to do is look for a mechanic because something has gone wrong with your car. Before you leave for your trip, you can take a few precautionary steps to make sure your car is running its best, save money at the pump and keep your family safe on the road.
Check your tires. Tire pressure changes with the rising temperatures - approximately 1 to 2 PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10-degree increase in outside temperature. Consult your owner's manual or the sidewall of your tire to see what the ideal tire pressure should be. Check the tire pressure with a hand pressure gauge or just let the guys at Mastermind Enterprises Auto Care Center do it for you. Besides being a safety concern, improperly inflated tires and misaligned tires can lower your car's fuel economy. If your tires are a total of 8 pounds under-inflated - not uncommon at all - you will waste up to a gallon of gas per month!
Change your oil and oil filter. Oil is the lifeblood of your car. It keeps your hardworking engine parts running clean, smooth and cool. Most owner's manuals suggest you change your oil and oil filter every 7,500 miles (12,070 km). We suggest you change your oil every 3,000 miles (4,828 km). We offer an oil change at our auto repair shop that extends the life of your engine oil up to 5,000 miles (8,046 km). An engine is more likely to overheat during the summer, so be sure to check your oil before you head out on that road trip with the family.
Change your air filter. During the winter, your car's air filter gets plugged with salt, dirt and other debris. A blocked air filter really lowers your fuel economy. Replacing a dirty or plugged air filter can raiser your gas mileage up to 10%. We recommend replacing your air filter every 12,000 miles (19,312 km) or 12 months. If you drive in severe conditions, replacement is recommended more often. Driving on dirt or gravel roads will plug your air filter much faster than highway driving. The only way to know if your air filter needs changing is to inspect it.
Replace your windshield wipers. Summertime is famous for unexpected, strong thunderstorms. When gallons of water are hitting your windshield, you need your wipers to work properly. This is most important at night because rain can decrease your visibility by 15-20 feet in front of your car.
Check your brakes. Your brakes are the single most important safety component of your car. Brakes need to be replaced when the lining on your brake pads or shoes is worn past the minimum thickness set by the manufacturer or state law. Make sure your family is safe by replacing worn or faulty brakes before you set out on your road trip. You can have your brake linings checked at Mastermind Enterprises Auto Care Center.
Check hoses and belts. The key to successful summer road trips is keeping the engine cool. Check the hoses connected to the radiator which help pump coolant to and from your car's engine block. The belts run the fan(s) that help to cool the engine further. If the hoses crack or belts break, the radiator will soon overheat, leaving you stranded on the side of the road.
Check the coolant (anti-freeze) and radiator. Cars are designed to run in hot weather, but there is a maximum to how how they should run. A combustion engine runs its best at approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). If your engine is allowed to get too hot, moving metal parts will start to melt and join together causing a variety of internal engine problems and a large repair bill, too.
Clean your battery. Did you know hot weather is even tougher on your battery than colder weather? Chemical reactions inside the battery can be accelerated by summer heat causing an overcharged battery. This can dramatically shorten your battery life. Battery damage is also caused from evaporating internal battery fluid in the summer heat. For optimum battery performance, the most important thing to do is to keep your battery clean and secure in your engine compartment.
Last, but definitely not least - service your air conditioning system! The best way to tell if you have a problem with your a/c is if it is not cooling and maintaining air temperatures to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) below the outside temperature. The most common issue is low refrigerant. This could be caused by a leak, so it's best to have it inspected by an automotive professional to look into the problem.
These maintenance tips can be time consuming, that's why Mastermind Enterprises Auto Care Center is here to help you! Give us a call and schedule a quick trip check for your vehicle before you hit the road. You will have peace of mind knowing your vehicle will be reliable and the only question you have left to answer is, "Are we there yet?"
Happy Summer Travels!
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