Don't Let Smiles Turn to Frowns on Summer Road Trip

No one wants their carefree summer road trip sidelined by a breakdown. Get out in front of any potential problems with a quick trip to your service advisor before the journey.

“The biggest problems come from people putting off routine maintenance,” said Tony Molla of ASE, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, a nonprofit certification agency for auto technicians. “Just like routinely going to the dentist, your vehicle needs preventative care, too.”

Preventative medicine includes checking the lights, hoses, fluids and electrical system–items that could leave you stranded during a cold snap.

“Basic maintenance will help you catch something before it becomes a bigger issue,” Molla said. “Nobody wants to be stranded in triple-digit heat.”

Preventative maintenance is especially important in areas subject to extreme weather conditions. Summer driving tends to boil off oil additives. Even vehicles that have been sitting for months need to get their oil changed since additives evaporate.

“The longer oil sits the more it evaporates,” he said. “I change the oil in all my vehicles every three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes last.”

Harsh climates and frequent stop-and-go driving also may require frequent oil changes. Molla had the following suggestions for fall car care:

• Don’t ignore regular maintenance. Small, inexpensive issues can turn into costly repairs if left unaddressed.
• Be vigilant with older vehicles. Cars and trucks with more than 90,000 miles may need a variety of replacement parts like hoses or belts. Check to see how the items with longer service lives are holding up.
• Test your battery. Though summer heat is more harmful on batteries than winter cold, batteries typically fail more in colder weather.
• Checking the air pressure in your tires and make sure the treads are wearing evenly. Uneven wear and bald spots on tires can be the result of the vehicle being out of alignment.
• Check your wiper blades. Blades should be replaced annually, though some are constructed to last more than one winter. A minor investment in new blades can help improve visibility during heavy rain or snowstorms.
• Look for body damage. Dings and scratches that expose metallic surfaces can rust, leading to costly repairs down the line.

“A car is the second most expensive purchase most people make, so take care of that investment with routine care,” Molla said. “Prevention is always less expensive than the cure and extends life of the vehicle.”