| With so many wonderful and interesting U.S. | | | | belts and hoses are the second-biggest cause |
| cities, an increasing number of Americans are | | | | of auto breakdowns after failed batteries. |
| forgoing international travel in favor of | | | | Have the belts and hoses checked during an |
| road trips to the beach, mountains, and other | | | | oil change or other service visit. |
| domestic hotspots. If you count yourself | | | | |
| among them, make sure your vehicle is in good | | | | Our list continues with 3 more auto |
| condition before hitting the wide, open road. | | | | maintenance check points to address before |
| The following list of summer maintenance | | | | leaving for your summer road trip. A little |
| check points will help ensure a safe ride to | | | | preventive maintenance is the first step |
| your vacation destination. | | | | towards making your vacation more pleasant. |
| | | | |
| 1. There's a lot riding on your tires-make | | | | 4. Batteries die in the summer too. Dead |
| sure they can handle it. If your tires are | | | | batteries are not just a wintertime nuisance. |
| still in good shape, prevent unnecessary wear | | | | According to the RK Subaru service |
| by rotating them whenever you change the oil. | | | | department, batteries deteriorate even faster |
| (RK Toyota technicians recommend a rotation | | | | in hot weather. Before your summer trip, |
| every 6,000 miles.) If the tread on your | | | | have your battery checked by a professional, |
| tires is fairly worn, consider replacing them | | | | especially if it is over three years old. |
| before departing. If you see the "wear bars" | | | | |
| (rubber strips that usually are darker than | | | | 5. Seat belts save lives--make sure they work |
| the tire), replace your tires immediately. RK | | | | well. Your belts should unreel smoothly when |
| Toyota technicians also maintain that proper | | | | you pull them, and retract securely around |
| tire inflation is vital. Follow the | | | | you after you fasten the latch. If your belt |
| manufacturer's recommendation for the proper | | | | is not fitting snugly, check the "retractor" |
| pressure. | | | | (a spool-like device near the floor) for |
| | | | stuck debris. On older cars, make sure the |
| 2. Like tires, brakes are crucial to your | | | | belts are not frayed or torn. |
| family's safety. RK Subaru technicians | | | | |
| advocate having brakes checked whenever tires | | | | 6. Compensate for a heavy load. If you are |
| are rotated. If your brakes make unusual | | | | towing a boat or trailer, or hauling an |
| squealing or grinding noises when you hit | | | | excessive number of passengers or luggage, |
| them, or if the steering wheel pulls to one | | | | adjustments may be in order. The RK Scion |
| side, you might need new brakes. If your car | | | | Service Department recommends that you |
| has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), as | | | | consult your owner's manual on how to |
| most recent models do, pay attention to your | | | | compensate for extra heavy loads. If you own |
| dashboard indicators. If, after about 2 | | | | a high-riding sport utility vehicle or |
| seconds, the ABS light goes out, the system | | | | minivan, avoid using a roof cargo carrier, |
| is in good working order. If the light stays | | | | which raises the center of gravity and |
| on, have a mechanic check your brakes. | | | | increases the risk of a rollover. |
| | | | |
| 3. Pay attention to belts and hoses to | | | | Address these basic maintenance check points |
| decrease the risk of a breakdown. Fan belts, | | | | even if you're not planning any out-of-town |
| which used to last about a year, are now much | | | | trips. You'll reduce the risk of a road-side |
| more durable, so people tend to neglect them. | | | | emergency, save time and money, and |
| However, RK Subaru technicians report that | | | | ultimately make your summer more enjoyable. |