Summer Car Care Tips

Reprinted from GoodYear Tires Tire Care Fact Sheet
According to a recent survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 241 million registered vehicles will be traveling U.S. roadways this summer.  Many of these vehicles may not be ready to cope with the extreme weather associated with the summer season.  To be prepared, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has developed a simple checklist of tips motorists should consider to help them during summer driving.

Warm Air Expands As temperatures rise… so does your tire pressure.  Tire pressure actually rises 1-2 PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10 degree increase in the outside air temperature.  Proper tire inflation is essential for safe driving and long tire life, so check that air pressure now. The pressure should be checked when the tires are cold and have not been used recently.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage for most drivers by 3.3 percent, which translates to nearly 8 additional miles per tank-full for the average SUV and nearly 10 miles per fill up for an average passenger car.

Don’t Let A Little Rain Get You Down - With 90% of driving decisions based on visual input,  according to aftermarketbusiness.com, you’ll want to be able to see the car ahead of you in a rainstorm.  Now is the time to inspect your wiper blades and replace them if they are cracked, torn, cut or streaking.  Also, remember that the first rains can make the road very slippery.  To help better handle these conditions, follow these simple tips:  slow down, keep your distance from the car ahead of you and stop if the rain becomes too heavy.

Take In The Fresh Summer Breeze - With warmer weather comes air contaminants such as pollen, dust and mold spores.  Make sure you check your air filter and replace it as it can become clogged with these irritants.  Also, replacing a clogged air filter with a new one can improve a car’s gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.

Take Charge – The last thing you want on a hot summer day is to be stranded on the side of the road because your battery has lost its juice.  To avoid this problem, be sure that your battery is running at the correct levels by testing it with a voltage regulator.  Also, make sure the battery terminals are clean and in good condition, and that the cables are secure.

Be Cool – According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the leading cause of mechanical breakdown on our nation’s highways is overheating.  One way to avoid this from happening during a summer road trip is by maintaining the freshness and level of the antifreeze in your vehicle.  Simply look to see if the coolant level is at or near the ‘full cool’ indicator line.  If the level is low, see your local automotive service outlet.

Don’t Forget Your Roadside Emergency Kit!  Many drivers will log some serious miles on the road this summer.  To ensure you’re prepared to handle any unforeseen ‘bumps in the road,’ we suggest you keep these essentials in your vehicle at all times:
Cell phone charger
Sun screen and sun protection
Flashlight and batteries
Blankets
Waterproof matches and/or a lighter
Snacks and bottled water
First aid kit
A properly inflated spare tire, jack & lug wrench
Jumper cables and signal flares
Compass
Pocket knife
Plastic trash bags for wind protection
Atlas and state/local road maps
Extra quart of oil
Hand cleaner and paper towels
Emergency contact list

For more information about Goodyear’s broad selection of tires for cars, light trucks, SUVs and more, visit www.goodyeartires.com.

Take Charge – The last thing you want on a hot summer day is to be stranded on the side of the road because your battery has lost its juice.  To avoid this problem, be sure that your battery is running at the correct levels by testing it with a voltage regulator.  Also, make sure the battery terminals are clean and in good condition, and that the cables are secure.

Be Cool – According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the leading cause of mechanical breakdown on our nation’s highways is overheating.  One way to avoid this from happening during a summer road trip is by maintaining the freshness and level of the antifreeze in your vehicle.  Simply look to see if the coolant level is at or near the ‘full cool’ indicator line.  If the level is low, see your local automotive service outlet.

Don’t Forget Your Roadside Emergency Kit!  Many drivers will log some serious miles on the road this summer.  To ensure you’re prepared to handle any unforeseen ‘bumps in the road,’ we suggest you keep these essentials in your vehicle at all times:
Cell phone charger
Sun screen and sun protection
Flashlight and batteries
Blankets
Waterproof matches and/or a lighter
Snacks and bottled water
First aid kit
A properly inflated spare tire, jack & lug wrench
Jumper cables and signal flares
Compass
Pocket knife
Plastic trash bags for wind protection
Atlas and state/local road maps
Extra quart of oil
Hand cleaner and paper towels
Emergency contact list

For more information about Goodyear’s broad selection of tires for cars, light trucks, SUVs and more, visit www.goodyeartires.com.

Comments

[ryan]

thanks for the helpful tips. i guess there's no way that summer will be ruin by these car problems... I'm installing new nissan seat belts too, just delivered yesterday from http://www.shopnisparts.com/nissan-seat-belt/