Spring is the right time to get your car ready for the hectic summer driving season ahead. It's sensible to have your vehicle checked out before summer's intense vacation traffic and stop-and-go situation begin earnestly.

The experts at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence offer the tips below on preparing your car:

* Look at the owner's handbook and keep up to the recommended service schedules. Watch out "regular" vs. "severe" schedules proposed, and determine which is appropriate for your driving conditions and routine.

* Seek a systematic repair facility with current equipment in the service bays and skilled automotive technicians being staff, as shown by trade school qualifications, certificates of advanced course work and training, as well as national certification of the individual technicians by ASE.

* Cleanse and replenish the cooling system (radiator) as stated in the service manual's recommendations. The level, form and intensity of the coolant should be checked periodically. Make sure the engine has cooled down before taking off the radiator cap. Engine overheating is the most common summer breakdown.

* Have engine performance problems corrected, such as hard starts, tough idling and stalling. You'll get improved gasoline mileage, and you could avert more expensive repairs.

* Don't ignore your transmission and brakes. Costly repairs can be prevented by periodic service. Neglected brakes can create safety issues, too.

* Seek out a skilled auto technician to verify the condition of belts, clamps and hoses, but be preventive by looking for signs of wear, cracking or fraying.

* Have a marginally working air conditioner system serviced by a technician qualified to handle refrigerants. Older units often contain ozone-depleting compounds that could be released into the air through irregular or incompetent service.

* Replace the oil and oil filter as indicated in the owner's manual. This easy, inexpensive service can add to the life of your vehicle.

* Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV) as recommended in the service manual.

* Verify 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 points to troubles with your tires or suspension system.

* Change your headlights with some good aftermarket headlights. Good custom headlights or even just a nice new series of H11 bulbs for your standard lights will make a vast difference when you're traveling in dark. Very rarely do you realize how dim your headlights are until you upgrade. It is likely that the winter road grim has spoiled your lenses to the point where they actually need to be replaced.

Recommendations For Preparing Your Car For Summer Ride
Spring is the perfect time to get your vehicle ready for the busy summer driving season ahead. It's wise to have your vehicle checked out before summer's heavy vacation traffic and stop-and-go conditions begin earnestly

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