Hamel Fire Dept

Hamel Fire Dept utility rig.

Now the summer is around the corner, follow these tips to prepare your vehicle for what lies on the road ahead. The experienced technicians at Cars On Patrol Shop can perform a complete inspection and trip check before heading down the road this spring and summer.

1. To help avoid over-heating, a car´s cooling system, engine hoses, drive belts and battery should be inspected by a mechanic.

2. Regularly check fluid levels and tire tread depth. To quickly check the tire tread, insert a penny in the tread groove with Lincoln´s head upside down – if you can see the entire head, your tires are worn and should be replaced. Over or under-inflation can weaken your tires, cause uneven tread wear, and impact your gas mileage. Many people think the proper tire pressure can be found on your actual tire, however that’s incorrect. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or to a decal often found in the doorjamb or glove compartment, for the proper tire pressure. Check the pressure when the tire is cold / at air temperature. Do not check the pressure after an extended drive on the highway or after driving for more than five minutes. Hot weather can cause air pressure inside the tire to expand, causing a blowout if the tire is in poor condition.

3. Use extra caution while driving during a rainstorm, particularly after an extended period without rain, since extreme heat causes oils deposited from vehicles to be absorbed into the road and slick spots can result during rainstorms.

4. Enhance your hot-weather preparedness with an emergency kit stocked with things that would be needed in the event of a breakdown, such as water, necessary medications, first aid supplies and portable cooling devices, such as battery-powered fans. Emergency kits should include: jumper cables, a flashlight, fresh batteries, flares, basic tools, duct tape, gloves, flares, bottled water, granola bars and a mobile phone with charger.

5. Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle, which can heat up quickly during hot weather. When traveling a long distance, try to plan your trip for early in the day or later in the evening when the weather is cooler.

6. Consistently check the levels of all the car’s vital fluids — including motor oil, radiator fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield wiper fluid — and top-off or change them as needed. Pay special attention to the oil since it keeps the moving parts in your engine from wearing against each other. Make sure to change it regularly. Check your vehicle owner’s manual for the appropriate interval for your vehicle.

7. Keep a gallon of distilled water in the trunk of your vehicle. If your vehicle overheats due to a small leak you may be able to add the water to the radiator to temporarily cool it down until you can get to a service station. But don’t open the radiator cap until the vehicle has cooled down. Hot fluid can spurt out and cause serious burns.

8. Over time, dirt, bugs, leaves, and other debris can collect in front of your vehicle’s radiator and interfere with the cooling system. Spray the radiator with a hose when you wash your vehicle to remove debris and allow air to flow freely through your radiator and air conditioner condenser.

9. Make sure your headlights, taillights, turn signals, parking lights, and license plate lights are all working. Replace any that may have burned out. Make sure wiper blades are in good condition in case you run into any unexpected storms. Visually inspect your vehicle’s belts and hoses. Replace any that are cracked or leaking.

10. Remember to always buckle up and never drink and drive.