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Summer Fun
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| Planning a Road Trip this Summer? |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:46:13 |
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 16 ( -2 -12.5% ) |
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Description:
Summer Fun
Planning a Road Trip this Summer?
By Bruce Caldwell
Summer vacations can be great fun, but they can also be quite stressful. Lots of anticipation and high expectations often surround a family vacation. You've got to get caught up at work to take the vacation, and get the house ready to go--so you can go. With all this rushing around just so that you can relax, you want the trip itself to be as smooth as possible. Did we bring enough clothes for the kids? Will Timmy's lunch stay down? How many times does that kid really need to go to the bathroom? Should the kids wait an hour after eating before taking a bath?
Car trouble (when you finally hit the highway) can lead to stress meltdown, and probably pull your fellow-rider's vocabulary in an uglier direction. The keys to avoiding car problems and even worries about any possible problems are pre-trip inspections and servicing. The best plan is to start your maintenance as early as possible. A month before the trip really isn't too soon.
Dealership service departments and independent repair shops are very busy during the spring and summer months. You're not the only family planning an automotive vacation. In fact, recent news reports say that Americans are hitting the highways this summer in record droves. If you start doing checks and any repairs early, you'll have more choices about prices and who does the work, and be far more relaxed for the trip.
Even if your car is in tip-top shape or virtually new, there are a few other tips that can make road travel more enjoyable. Check out the following tips and you can help avoid playing "check Daddy's or Mommy's pulse by watching the throbbing vein in his or her forehead."
SCHEDULED SERVICE: If your car is due for scheduled service or if it will be due shortly after your vacation, have the work done BEFORE you leave. An extra oil and filter change is bargain health insurance for your car's engine. Tell the shop that you are about to embark on a cross-country trip. Ask them to do an extra thorough check underneath the car while it's up on the hoist. If you start watching the newspaper ahead of time, you may be able to take advantage of shops that advertise pre-vacation service specials.
AIR CONDITIONING: Chances are very good that your travels will take you through hot or humid locales. Air conditioning has become so common that people feel suffocated without it. Memories of childhood trips with your back and thighs stuck to a hot vinyl seat and fighting with your siblings for a turn at the window may seem like ancient history until you try traversing Arizona with a broken air conditioner. If your car is less than five years old, there probably isn't anything to worry about, but an inexpensive inspection would help cover your bets.
Air conditioning service is no longer something that can be done at home. New cars have ozone-friendly R-134a refrigerant. Older cars use R-12 which has risen in price faster than Microsoft stock. The EPA wants to phase out R-12, so after existing supplies are exhausted, you will need to switch to R-134a. There still seems to be some "gray market" R-12 activity with imported products, but there is no escaping the eventual change-over.
The retrofit kits for older cars can be quite expensive. The problem arises if a major component of your R-12 system, like the compressor, fails. Then the question becomes one of repairing the old system or spending a little more and installing a retrofit system.
The confusion and "mystery" surrounding air conditioning make it an area ripe for rip-offs. Being an informed consumer will help prevent being taken for a ride by an unscrupulous mechanic. Try to find a shop that is very well respected in the community, has the latest A/C equipment, and has technicians well-versed in air conditioning service. If you get a high estimate for lots of repair or conversion work, take your car to another shop for a second opinion.
Note: NEVER TAMPER WITH YOUR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM OR ATTEMPT TO DO ANY SERVICE WORK YOURSELF.
Using windshield shades when your car is parked for any length of time is a good idea. The shade helps keep the interior cooler and you won't return to a scorching hot steering wheel. It's a good idea to open the windows slightly when you first start a warm car. That way the hot air can be exhausted quicker and you will feel cool sooner.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM: Just as you like to be cool, your engine won't perform well if it overheats. The shop that does your routine service should include a cooling system check as part of their preventative maintenance program. There are checks that you can make yourself. Check the condition of the hoses. Any indication of bulging means that the hose is weak in that spot and could soon burst. Hoses that appear badly cracked or checkered indicate that the rubber is deteriorating. Look around the hose ends for signs of leakage. Use a screwdriver to be sure that the hose clamps are tight.
The engine coolant should be changed according to the schedule in your owner's manual. A shop can tell you if the coolant is still good. If you notice that the coolant in the overflow reservoir keeps disappearing, there may be a leak in the system. Sometimes the plastic overflow reservoirs crack (especially around the mounting bolts). If your car is older and you plan to do a lot of noontime driving in Death Valley in July, changing the coolant and installing new hoses (both upper and lower) is cheap trip insurance. While you're checking the cooling system, don't forget to check the condition of the heater hoses.
TIRES: Long trips in hot weather can be tough on tires. Tire pressures and temperatures increase noticeably. Be sure that your tires have ample tread and that there aren't any signs of unusual wear. If it's close to when you should get new tires, get them before you go. If you have a blowout in West Dust Bowl, Oklahoma, you probably won't have the luxury of comparison shopping.
Check tire air pressure when the tires are cold. Don't forget to check the air pressure and general condition of the spare tire. Be sure that all the required jack and lug wrench components are present and in good working order. An inexpensive, foam, garden kneeling pad is a nice item to carry in the trunk in case you need to kneel down on a gravel road to change a flat tire.
If you noticed any unusual tread wear patterns, have the front end alignment checked. Defective shock absorbers or struts can contribute to uneven front tire wear. It's a good idea to check the brake pad thickness, brake fluid level, and power steering fluid level as part of the tire safety check.
JOIN AN AUTO CLUB: Auto clubs such as the AAA or ones affiliated with gas companies can be excellent vacation stress relievers. Their travel departments can help you plan your itinerary, make motel reservations, find lodging discounts, provide literature on places of interest, and make sure that you have the latest road maps. Some auto clubs will make customized route maps for your specific trip. The roadside assistance programs provided by auto clubs are a great 'peace of mind' item.
MORE ENJOYABLE DRIVING: Every time you avoid a hassle, no matter how insignificant, you increase the family's enjoyment. Remove any unnecessary winter gear from the car. Start with clean windows, especially the windshield. Clean the windshield inside as well. New wiper blades and full strength washer fluid will help with bug removal. If you think you might encounter lots of bugs, bring along some extra washer fluid and a bug sponge. Put one of those net type windshield sponges in a zip-type plastic bag so it can remain moist. When you stop to stretch (as you should about every two hours), you can use the sponge and extra washer fluid (or a small bottle of Windex) to make room for fresh bugs in the next state.
In addition to stretching, it's a good idea to bring along some type of lumbar support pillow. We prefer the self-inflating ones that can be deflated and rolled up when not in use. Bring along a couple back pillows so other family members can use them for their backs or as pillows for a nap.
Quality sun glasses are a necessity. It's not a bad idea to carry a spare pair in the glove box.
A small stash of cleanup supplies is always a smart idea as well. A roll of paper towels (also handy for windshield cleaning and use as napkins), some soapless hand cleaner, a few pre-moistened hand towels, and a couple pair of disposable latex gloves (in case you need to handle anything greasy) won't take up very much room in the trunk.
Plan ahead, do some preventative maintenance, and your next vacation can be a true escape from stress--the way it's supposed to be. |
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