Vacation Season is Coming ... Is Your Car Ready?

Vacation Season is Coming ... Is Your Car Ready?
(NewsUSA) - The old-fashioned auto vacation never goes out of style. It affords families with children a getaway without the expense and hassle of air travel. To make sure your road trip goes smoothly this summer, the experts at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) recommend that you have your vehicle checked out by a professional auto technician before you head to the beach or mountains.

"Just as you would make a vacation packing list, motorists should make a checklist for their vehicle before setting out for summer fun," advises Martin Lawson, ASE's editorial director. "Your car's owner manual is the perfect place to start."

The experts at the National Institute ASE offer the following tips on getting your vehicle ready for summer:

- Read the owner's manual and follow the recommended service schedules.

- Flush and refill the cooling system, or radiator, according to the service manual's recommendations. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. Let the engine cool down before removing the radiator cap.

- Have drivability problems -- hard starts, rough idling, stalling -- corrected.

- If you are not a do-it-your-selfer, look for repair facilities that employ ASE-certified automotive technicians. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact areas of certification. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign.

- A qualified auto technician should check the tightness and condition of belts, clamps and hoses.

- Have a marginally operating air conditioner system serviced by a qualified technician.

- Change the oil and oil filter as specified in owner's manual. Properly dispose of used oil.

- Replace other filters -- such as air, fuel, PCV-- as recommended.

- Check the condition of tires, including the spare. Let tires "cool down" before checking air pressure.

- Inspect all lights and bulbs. Replace burned-out bulbs.

- Replace worn wiper blades and keep plenty of washer solvent on hand to fight summer's dust and insects.

For more information, including additional car care tips, visit www.ase.com.

More Resources


03/29/2024
March sales look robust, thanks to incentives and inventory

Analysts see March U.S. auto sales as the best month since May 2021 because of increasing inventories — and resulting rising incentives and retreating prices.



more info


03/29/2024
Some 2022 Ram trucks being probed in U.S. for K1 snap ring transmission failures

NHTSA said it received 82 complaints alleging loss of motive power due to an internal transmission failure of the K1 snap ring.



more info


03/29/2024
Panasonic Energy to supply EV batteries to Mazda; Panasonic Automotive being sold to U.S. firm

Mazda and Panasonic Energy said they will later disclose details of the deal, which is for the supply of cylindrical lithium-ion batteries.



more info


03/28/2024
Fisker price cuts mark latest turn in downward spiral

The company's price cuts come after a steady barrage of issues, including the dissolution of talks with a large automaker for a financial lifeline, halted production and a scathing report from Consumer Reports.



more info


03/28/2024
Tesla’s $25,000 car means tossing out Henry Ford's 100-year-old assembly line

Instead of a large, rectangular car moving along a linear conveyer belt, parts are assembled simultaneously in dedicated areas and then all put together at the end.



more info


03/28/2024
Auto industry's share of global microchip capacity rises as EVs, software grow

The automotive industry surpassed the consumer and industrial sectors in 2023 to become the third-largest end market for semiconductors worldwide as demand for automotive-grade microchips continues to grow.



more info


03/28/2024
Ford says it will consider Spain to build new utility vehicle

Politicians and unions welcomed the potential addition of a new model at the Valencia factory, which employs 4,800 people.



more info


03/28/2024
Kia recalls 427,000 Telluride crossovers over risk of rolling

The recall covers 2020-24 Telluride large crossovers.



more info


03/28/2024
How Nissan plans to get its fight back with advanced next-gen EVs

Nissan's upcoming family of modular next-generation electric vehicles will deliver dramatic improvements in cost and performance, but customers will still have to wait years before they hit showrooms.



more info


03/28/2024
Plastic Omnium changes name as it adds software, lighting

The French supplier will be known as OPMobility, reflecting a broader ambition and new product line, executives said.



more info




More Automobile Information:

Related Articles

Today's Performance Parts Kick Your Car Into Gear And Save Gas


How many times have you tried to accelerate onto a freeway with cars zipping by and couldn't get the power to do it safely? It's kind of scary, right?


Rack Up Some Extra Space On Your Vehicle


When you need to haul stuff for work or DIY projects around the yard, a pickup truck is invaluable. The downfall of pickup trucks is the lack of secure storage and ability to carry longer items.


Don't Get Soaked By A Water-Damaged Car


An unexpected consequence to extreme weather, such as 2012's Hurricane Sandy, is the damage it can do to all types of vehicles.


Money-Saving Tips For Car Owners


There's good news for car owners. Extending the life of their vehicle and avoiding expensive repairs may be easier than they realize.


Extreme Heat Can Burn Up Car Batteries


Because extreme temperatures can destroy a vehicle's battery, it's a cool idea to have your car's battery tested periodically and replaced, if necessary, to avoid being stranded.


Buyer Beware: Unsafe Used Tires For Sale


Whenever you hit the road, it's your car's tires that hit it first, so it's important they be in good shape.


Drive On: Tips To Make Your Vehicle Road Trip Ready


It's summertime and the driving is easy. At least it should be, and fun too, especially with millions of vacation-hungry drivers preparing for the great American getaway, the annual summer road trip.


Ethanol-Blended Fuel And Your Engine


The conversation around fuels, technology and conservation can sometimes get confusing.


Is Someone "Liening" On Your Car?


When buying a used car, it's important to look for problems that aren't apparent to the naked eye.


Seasonal Driving Checklist


Whether drivers are trading out their ice scrapers for an open sunroof or putting the cover on the convertible after another summer driving season, experts advise that seasonal car prep should go beyond the basic wash and wax.


Care For Your Battery Today So It Can Care For You Later


For many motorists, the battery is a case of under hood, out of mind until they're stranded by a dead battery, which can be inconvenient and even dangerous—but this doesn't have to happen to you.


Stop Sun Damage


Many drivers have found a clear way to protect themselves, their passengers and their wallets with the help of a film they can hardly see.


Don't Like Pressure? Your Tires Do


Investing a little time and effort to make sure your tires are road worthy can pay dividends when it comes to safety.


Easy Maintenance Tips


Proper vehicle maintenance doesn't only mean you and your car can spend many happy years together.


On The Road To Stress-Free Driving


With more than 5 million car crashes every year in the U.S., it's important that drivers understand what they can do to avoid a collision and also what automakers are doing to help them should they be involved in an accident.