Car Safety – Holiday Travel
With everyone making a “break for it,” the Fourth of July Holiday weekend should prove to be a hustle and bustle of families driving to beaches, mountains and backyard bbq’s. With the recent heat wave we’ve been experiencing it’s important to keep your cars in good operating condition to be safe. So here are some suggestions:
FLUIDS
Check your fluids: All fluids should be checked while the car is on a flat surface – otherwise the readings could be inaccurate. Aside from the washer fluid, all fluid systems under the hood are closed, if after replenishing them they again read “low”, something is probably leaking. First, check for fluid underneath your car. If you see droppings you know there is an issue so get it checked out as soon as possible.
Oil: Check it monthly with the engine off (use the barbara’s way grip it gloves to make your work easier and so you dont get grease on your hands. They can be purchased at www.homedepot.com). Change it and the filter every three months or 3,000 miles.
Coolant: Check the level monthly, add when necessary but give the engine the opportunity to cool down. Make sure to have the system flushed once a year.
Transmission: Check it monthly, change it every 2 years or 20,000 miles, or as recommended by the owner’s manual. Automatic transmissions have their own dip-sticks and are usually read when the engine is running and warm. Manual transmissions need to be checked from underneath the car – you’ll probably want to take the car into a service station for this. It’s easiest to have it checked every 3,000 miles when you are getting a regular oil change.
Windshield wiper fluid: Take a peek every week; in winter or during rainy seasons you might want to check it more frequently.
TIRES
Check the pressure (after you have driven a bit) at least once a month. Don’t forget to check the spare tire, too! Not sure what the right pressure is? Most cars have a sticker on the inside of the driver’s side door that will tell you. If you’ve changed tires since the car was new, it’s best to check the sidewall of the tire for recommended pressure. Also, if you hear your tires screeching as you make slow turns, it could mean your tire pressure is low. Proper tire pressure increases your gas mileage and saves you money.
To use a tire gauge, place it on on the tire valve and just press down. Read the number and check it against your cars specific manual requirements. If air is needed, press the air pump nozzle onto the tire valve to inflate. Some valves require you to press a lever as well. Check the tire pressure with tire gauge again and adjust air if needed. You should rotate the tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or every second oil change.
Wiper blades: Replace once a year, unless there’s obviously a problem like streaking
Air filter: Change once a year, or every 20,000 miles. If you live in an area that’s excessively sandy or dusty, check it twice a year or more.
Safety equipment you should always have in your trunk: Flashlight, jumper cables, emergency beacons or reflectors of some kind (and try to pull the car off the road should any event occur both for your safety and for the safety of other drivers), first aid kit and disposable camera.
Now you can travel safely and you checked your car Barbara’s Way!
