The busy summer driving season is
coming. Will your vehicle be ready?
The experts at the nonprofit National
Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
offer the following tips on getting your vehicle ready.
* Read the owner's manual and follow
the recommended service schedules.
* If you are not a do-it-yourselfer,
look for an orderly repair facility with modern equipment in the
service bays. Also, look for evidence of qualified automotive
technicians, such as trade-school diplomas, certificates of advanced
course work and training, as well as national certification of the
individual technicians by ASE.
* Flush and refill the cooling system
according to the service manual's recommendations. The level,
condition and concentration of the coolant should be checked
periodically. Make sure the engine has cooled down before removing
the radiator cap.
* Have engine performance problems --
hard starts, rough idling, stalling -- corrected. You'll get better
gasoline mileage and could prevent more expensive repairs.
* Have a qualified auto technician
check the tightness and condition of belts, clamps and hoses. You
should stay on the lookout for signs of wear, cracking or fraying.
* Likewise, have a faulty
air-conditioner system serviced by a technician qualified to handle
refrigerants. Older units often contain ozone-depleting chemicals
that could be released into the air through improper or incompetent
service.
* Change the oil and oil filter as
specified in the owner's manual. This simple service alone can
increase the life of your vehicle. Replace other filters as
recommended in the service manual.
* Check the condition of tires,
including the spare. Let the tires "cool down" before
checking their pressure. Uneven wear, "cupping," vibrations
or pulling to one side indicate problems with your tires or
suspension system.
* Don't neglect your transmission.
Costly repairs can be prevented by routine service.
* 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.
ASE was founded in 1972 to improve the
quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary
testing and certification of 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 ASE sign
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