Summer has finally arrived and that means it is time to hit the road. Before you pack your bags and are ready to roll, make sure your car is ready to roll, too. To ensure that your car is ready for the hot road, take note of the following five car cooling check-up points:
1. If you notice any water leaking from under your car, then there may be a problem with the water pump. If your water pump has to be replaced, you might as well pay a few dollars more to get the cooling system’s thermostat replaced at the same time.
2. Don’t make the mistake of filling your radiator with just water. It is important to use the proper mixture of water and coolant because coolant boils at a higher temperature than water. This fact is especially important when you drive in places like Las Vegas and Phoenix where the temperature easily tops 100°F.
3. If you think you are saving on gas by not running the air conditioning, then you are in for a surprise. A car burns up more gas when its windows are down. It takes more energy to move a car along the highway when the windows are down than when the air is on.
4. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Improperly inflated tires contribute to low gas mileage. Also, make sure to rotate your tires, according to your owner’s manual, to prevent uneven tread wear.
5. Summer brings a lot of rain. Make sure your windshield-wipers have not begun to wear. If so, try wiping them once with a rag saturated with white vinegar. Acid from vinegar dissolves unwanted residue on blades, which allows for a clean blade wipe.
After you have completed the five-point car cooling check-up, it is time to get packing. Grab your sunscreen, spending money and bags…you are ready to roll!