Women's Car Care Clinic: How to "Summerize" Your Car
It's 107 degrees, the warm Texas sun is shining brightly. You've just located your car in the parking lot of the supermarket. The trunk is filled with frozen foods that are melting by the minute, a pint-sized dictator refuses to buckle the seatbelt despite various threats including, "no tv time" and, another usually-cute court jester has just smeared his melted chocolate all over your car window to "practice drawing his name."
Although you thoroughly enjoyed doing your hair and make-up this morning you now look like something akin to Raccoon/Peg Bundy. You're sweaty, your hair has frizzed up, your eye makeup is smeared but, somehow you've made it passed the part where you return your grocery cart to the cart return. Anxiously awaiting getting the heck out of the hot sun, you hurry back to your car. You know with every ounce (err pound) of woman that you are that once the crisp, cold blast of air hits your face you won't feel like crying any more. You sit down, burn your backside on the scorching leather, bite your lip and let out a little eek. In just literally 4 seconds until you'll make it to the air conditioned bliss that you've grown to require in the summer time. The keys are in the ignition, you turn the starter and- nothing. Flabbergasted, you try again and again and again. Your car has broke down in the middle of summer...now what?
Forget "Summerizing" I just want a new car...visit my website
Although you thoroughly enjoyed doing your hair and make-up this morning you now look like something akin to Raccoon/Peg Bundy. You're sweaty, your hair has frizzed up, your eye makeup is smeared but, somehow you've made it passed the part where you return your grocery cart to the cart return. Anxiously awaiting getting the heck out of the hot sun, you hurry back to your car. You know with every ounce (err pound) of woman that you are that once the crisp, cold blast of air hits your face you won't feel like crying any more. You sit down, burn your backside on the scorching leather, bite your lip and let out a little eek. In just literally 4 seconds until you'll make it to the air conditioned bliss that you've grown to require in the summer time. The keys are in the ignition, you turn the starter and- nothing. Flabbergasted, you try again and again and again. Your car has broke down in the middle of summer...now what?
Forget "Summerizing" I just want a new car...visit my website
Avoiding the Auto Repair Shop Blues
Prep the Cooling System If the pavements feels hot enough to cook an egg, then your engine is likely hot enough to roast a pig. During the summer, your engine can reach temperatures well over 200 degrees, which is why a proper-working coolant system is important. Inspect your radiator and hoses for any cracks, tears or strange lumps. Next, check your coolant levels and add antifreeze if they appear low. Even if levels are normal, consider adding fresh antifreeze since old coolant has the ability to create an electric charge that will corrode your radiator and engine.
If you still find your engine’s temperatures rising to high levels as you’re driving, remember to turn on the heat (yes, the heat) which will suck out the hot air under the hood and help cool your engine.
Check the Air Conditioner When you don’t treat your car right during the summer, be prepared to face its revenge when the air conditioning cuts out on the hottest day of the year. The key drivers of your car’s A/C are the belts that move the compressor, so examine them for any visible signs of wear.Also, the A/C won’t work properly if the vents are clogged by debris like leaves and dirt left from winter. Lastly, have your refrigerant (coolant) checked out by a professional.Change the Battery Wandering the streets of an unknown town begging the locals for a jump isn’t a great summer activity. On average, car batteries generally don’t last beyond three years. If your battery is older than that, it’s time to consider getting it changed. Once your battery starts losing power, it becomes harder to turn the alternator and start your engine, leaving you stranded.
Take a Look at the Brakes If you plan on traveling this summer somewhere with many hills or stormy weather, you could find yourself reenacting an action movie as your brakes go out. Steep inclines will wear down your brake pads, while wet brakes are slower to respond; not to mention the havoc caused by high temperatures on your brake system. However, brakes are better off in the hands of a mechanic who can accurately tell you how much life they have left.
and this one will be hilarious to watch the husbands attempt....
Check the towing capacity You’re already hauling your kids and a trunk full of luggage around the country this summer, so why not add a boat or a camper? The reason not to is because it could be illegal, and stupid. If you plan on towing anything this summer, you need to review your gross vehicle weight, which is the top weight for your automobile, trailer and load. You don’t want to find out on the highway that your car can’t tow a yacht.
When towing, it’s important to distribute the weight by balancing it among the hitch and the axles. The hitch should carry only nine to 11% of the weight. In addition, the weight on your trailer should be split with 40% in the back and 60% in the front. Also, double check to ensure safety chains around the hitch are secure.
Check the Windshield Wipers The weather is very active in the summer months, so be sure to avoid driving with your head out the window because you neglected to replace your windshield wipers. Your wipers get assaulted by rain, snow and sleet, as well as ultraviolet rays from the sun that deteriorate the rubber. In fact, it’s a good idea to replace them twice a year, even if they appear to be in fair condition. Thankfully, windshield wipers are one car part that are relatively inexpensive to replace.
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