Summer Travel Season is Just Around the Corner
Summer Car Care Tips
May i
s here, and with Memorial Day just around the corner, it’s time to start planning for the summer travel season. With so many people saving money these days by driving to their vacation destination rather than flying, we at Tveten’s thought we would point out some things that you should consider before heading out for your summer getaway.
If you haven’t had your car in for routine maintenance in the last few months, try and get it into our shop a week or so before you leave on your trip. It’s better to catch a problem now than at 9:00 pm somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Have Tveten’s Auto Clinic inspect the following:
- Air Conditioning system. Nothing is worse than sitting in traffic in a car with A/C that doesn’t work. Especially if it’s sunny and 95, which as Murphy’s law would have it, is the weather when your A/C decides to fail on you.
- Cooling System. If you haven’t had the cooling system of your car flushed recently, do it now. This will help prevent your car from overheating.
- Inspect your belts and hoses for cracking and have them replaced if necessary.
- Change your oil frequently. Most engines in new cars have longer oil change intervals than cars from a few years ago. Follow your manufacturers guidelines and make sure that you hang on to the receipts.
Inspect or replace your filters.- Inspect to make sure that your lights are functioning properly.
- Replace your windshield wipers. Tveten’s Auto Clinic recommends replacing your wipers 2 times a year…once before winter so you have a new set to get you through bad weather, and once in the spring to handle those rain storms.
- Inspect your tires. Make sure that your tires are wearing evenly and that they do not need to be replaced.
After your car gets the once-over, take the time to pack some backup items:
- One Gallon of windshield washer fluid
- A good flashlight with spare batteries
- A disposable camera in case of accident or a good photo opportunity (cell phones work great as well)
- A piece of carpet or a door mat, in case you have to kneel down on the ground in bad weather
- Drinking water. People always get thirsty.
- Sunblock and insect repellant
These are just a few items that can make your life a littler better when out on the road this summer. And remember when driving long distances, take breaks every couple of hours and stretch.
Enjoy your summer!
Be sure to call or stop in at Tveten’s Auto Clinic with all your vehicle’s travel/maintenance questions and needs! 253-588-5201
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How to save money maintaining your car
2. Overpaying for insurance.
4. Ignoring warning signs.
Save gas and money by plotting the best route for running errands or heading out on a road trip with a GPS navigator or a smart phone with a navigation app. Check gas prices at sites and apps like Gas Buddy so you can fuel up for less.
10. Buying extras that you don’t need.
For most of us, proper preparation for your upcoming holiday road trip is more about wedging suitcases into the trunk and grabbing that famous stuffing recipe than it is about car maintenance. We certainly understand; the holiday season is a hectic one. However, a little advance planning can make a huge difference in getting to your destination in one piece and arriving with a few shreds of sanity left!
Fluids: The various fluids under the hood keep the mechanicals in your car from seizing, which means it’s vital to check and change them if necessary. We’re talking about oil, transmission, and brake fluid. Also, be sure that your windshield wiper fluid is good to go when freezing weather hits.
We can hear our mothers now: “Better safe than sorry!” We imagine it was repeated ad nauseum in your house too. Though, they have a point. When temperatures dip, having car trouble can go from being an annoyance to a danger. Stock your car for that ‘just in case’ moment with the right supplies.
for rerouting, arrival time estimates, and on-the-fly route planning, but it’s not the same as hopping on a computer or busting out the atlas (there must be some committed map readers out there). You’ll be able to see the full route, which will let you check for road closures or traffic issues. Plus, sometimes electronics fail. It’s good to have a backup.
You’re not alone. Indeed, many eco-conscious drivers would rather let their cars turn what we’d politely call a “natural brown,” with an interior scent to match, than throw countless gallons of water and chemicals at the situation.
There’s a tipping point when it comes to cabin odors, and once you’re past it, only industrial-strength cleaners will get the funk out. Fortunately, you don’t have to use commercial air-fresheners to keep those smells at bay. Instead, stash an open box of Mrs. Meyers’ biodegradable dryer sheets under one of your front seats, or even try stuffing a few into various crevices and pockets. They’re biodegradable, and they smell great because they’re infused with essential oils, not cocktails from chemical factories.
Most commercial interior-care products get the job done, but they’re plastered with warnings about the dangers of inhalation and skin contact. Window cleaners, for example, typically contain ammonia, while all-purpose cleaners employ a variety of harmful substances that can evaporate into both your lungs and the atmosphere. Fortunately, there’s a greener way: Eco Touch has a range of interior cleaners that eschew ammonia and use only natural scented oils and cleaning agents, so you can breathe freely and know that you’re neither harming yourself nor the environment. Moreover, your car’s vinyl interior surfaces will appreciate the alcohol-free Dashboard Protect formula.
When your car needs the full stem-to-stern treatment, we cautiously recommend tackling the task yourself. Although commercial car washes are good at what they do, it’s no secret why they’re rarely patronized by friends of the earth. For one thing, the cleaners they use generally owe their effectiveness to a who’s-who of harmful chemicals. For another, most estimates peg water usage at between 40 and 50 gallons per car. If you care about the environment, that’s not a price worth paying for making your car look shiny and new.
Ladies, here’s your chance to take charge of your vehicle service.
Many cars nowadays have a cabin filter, which is built in the air conditioners. In the last decade many car air conditioning systems have been built with this type of air filters.
With Valentine’s Day this month, you go all out and lavish your special someone with flowers and chocolates. But don’t let the focus completely slip away from your non-human companions. That’s right-cars need love too, and unlike humans, they’ll never tell you that they’re just not that into you.
Spring isn’t far away, which means a tire swap could be in order. It’s time to think about changing out snow tires, switching to a good all-season tire or maybe adding a high-performance tire to a sporty car. Or maybe the tread on your current set has worn away. New tires can dramatically improve everything from ride comfort and handling to ambient noise on the highway, and they’re much more resistant to blowouts than the aging rubber that we too often see on the road. There’s a tire to fit virtually any budget these days, so why not do some research and price out a new set? Cars love new tires, and that’s what the Valentine’s Day spirit is all about.
You’ve already seen a few winter months pass by, and that layer of grime on your car has probably gotten pretty thick. Here’s a thought: don’t just take your car through the mechanical car wash for eight bucks, as this can scratch your paint and leave filth untouched in some areas. If you don’t want to get the sponge out yourself, we recommend anteing up for a professional hand wash. It’s like a spa treatment for your car; you’ll be amazed at how refreshed it looks afterwards. If you’ve suffered through a particularly nasty winter, however, you may want to spring for a full detailing job, which is akin to a full-body rejuvenation. Is your car worth it? Of course it is; it’s your valentine!
If you’re like most American drivers, you might feel like you’ve been stuck in a chilly commuting rut all winter. So how about hitting the road for a weekend getaway? It’ll be good for you, of course, but your car will appreciate it too, and here’s why. You know how used-car classifieds will claim a vehicle has driven “mostly highway miles”? Well, that’s because a steady cruise on the highway is just about the least stressful experience a car can have. Cold starts are a killer for engine components; ditto short trips, prolonged idling and stop-and-go traffic. Chances are you’ve been doing that stuff all winter. So don’t keep abusing your car with the usual routine; take it out on the open road and get its heart singing again.
Are you still listening to CDs in the car? Or maybe an iPod with a shaky connection? Well, check it out: there’s been a digital-music revolution over the past couple years, and a growing number of head units are being now equipped with an honest-to-goodness USB port-just like a new car’s stereo. Having a USB port is great because you can play your iPod/mp3 player through it with superior fidelity (compared to an auxiliary input jack), or you can insert a flash drive with a bunch of mp3s on it and enjoy an exceptionally portable jukebox full of your favorite songs. It’s a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you’re already accustomed to using mp3s in other contexts. And, having received a new technological lease on life, your car will likely be your loyal valentine for years to come. Flowers and chocolates not required.
