| Don't risk being stranded or getting | | | | lack of air flow across the condenser. |
| less than you should from your car at | | | | Have your mechanic make sure the |
| trade in. A little attention to the | | | | electric cooling fan motor near the |
| basics now will improve its appearance | | | | condenser is coming on. |
| and performance for years to come. | | | | In fan blade models, the fan should turn |
| Now scheduling with your service center | | | | very fast. Also have your mechanic |
| is easy, thanks to this handy checklist | | | | check the Freon level and pressure. Air |
| of items for the spring season. Don't | | | | conditioners on older vehicles often |
| miss the first checklist, with items you | | | | contain ozone-depleting chemicals that |
| can do yourself. | | | | could be released into the air if the |
| 1.First, find a quality service shop. | | | | system isn't working properly. |
| Look for one that services cars equal in | | | | 5.If your engine is experiencing hard |
| value to your own (their parking lot | | | | starts, rough idling, or stalling, have |
| will speak volumes!). Go inside and | | | | it fixed. Often times, the trouble |
| check out the equipment in the service | | | | stems from basic things like worn spark |
| bays (for example, our RK Chevrolet | | | | plugs, a dirty air filter, or bad |
| service center has state-of-the-art, | | | | ignition wires, but if you're not |
| computerized equipment. This facilitates | | | | mechanically inclined whatsoever, it's |
| faster diagnosis and repair, getting you | | | | best to go straight to a professional. |
| back on the road quicker.) | | | | (Taking care of little things early will |
| To find out the qualifications of the | | | | likely improve your gasoline mileage and |
| technicians, scan the walls for trade | | | | prevent minor problems from becoming |
| school diplomas, certificates of | | | | expensive repairs later on. |
| advanced course work and training | | | | 6.Don't neglect your transmission. RK |
| classes. | | | | Toyota technicians report that routine |
| 2.Have your technician check the | | | | service can eliminate costly repairs |
| tightness and condition of belts, | | | | down the road. A manual transmission |
| clamps, and hoses. (RK Scion technicians | | | | does not usually experience trouble, |
| recommend that belts and hoses be | | | | except for the clutch, which can be |
| inspected monthly). | | | | problematic if improperly adjusted or |
| Worn, glazed or frayed belts should be | | | | abused. |
| replaced, as should bulging, rotten, or | | | | A common problem with automatics is |
| brittle hoses. Clamps should be | | | | fluid breakdown from overheating. Fluid |
| tightened. | | | | and filter changes every 24,000 miles |
| 3.Anything that is worn or damaged | | | | can avoid premature transmission failure |
| should be replaced to prevent sudden | | | | but few people heed such advice. |
| breakdowns. | | | | Don't miss Part 1 of this series: RK |
| 4.If your air conditioner system is | | | | Auto Group Spring Checklist of Services |
| faulty, have it checked. Cooling | | | | You Can Do On Your Own. |
| inefficiency could be the result of a | | | | |