RICHMOND, Va., July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer is here and vacations have begun. Although rising gas prices have curtailed summer traveling for some, many families are still enjoying vacations, albeit closer to home. Before you leave, CarMax, Inc. , the nation's largest retailer of used cars, has advice on how to make sure your vehicle is ready for your summer road trip.
"Most summer vacation trips are driven under what can be considered severe driving conditions," said Juan Crespo, ASE Certified Master Technician for CarMax. "It is usually hot outside, travelers run the air conditioner, and there is always a lot of stop and go traffic -- these conditions can mean additional stress to your car's components and systems."
CarMax technicians recommend the following tips before taking that summer trip:
-- Tires
-- Check tread depth, and look for bulges and cuts both in the tread area and in the sidewalls.
-- Check air pressure. Set the tire air pressure to your vehicle manufacturer's specification when the tires are cold.
-- Do not forget to check your spare tire, jack and tools. You need a good spare tire with the proper air pressure.
-- Transmission
-- Check your odometer and look in your owner's manual to see if the transmission is due for service.
-- The transmission fluid should be clean, and not smell burnt. -- Suspension
-- Have a professional check the condition of ball joints, tie rod ends and other steering and suspension components.
-- Oil and filters
-- Change the oil and oil filter as often as required by your vehicle's manufacturer
-- If you are towing a boat or a trailer, look in your owner's manual for information on the manufacturer-recommended type of oil to be used when driving the vehicle under severe conditions.
-- Air conditioning system
-- On older cars, even if the system works, have a professional perform a thorough check, including the fan(s), the compressor clutch and the belt (while they're at it, have them check all the belts under the hood). A malfunctioning air conditioning system can cause the engine to overheat.
-- Cooling system
-- Have a professional check to ensure it is working properly and is filled to capacity with the right coolant. Heat can severely damage or even ruin your engine, and can also affect the vehicle's air conditioner.
-- Emergency supply package
-- Make a care package for your car, include the following: anti-freeze, oil, screwdrivers, flares, pliers, jumper cables, flashlight, and a first-aid kit.
About CarMax
CarMax, a FORTUNE 500 company, and one of the FORTUNE 2008 "100 Best Companies to Work For," is the nation's largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 98 used car superstores in 46 markets. The CarMax consumer offer provides our customers the opportunity to shop for vehicles the way they shop for items at other national retailers, and it is structured around four customer benefits: low, no-haggle prices; a broad selection; high quality vehicles; and a customer- friendly sales process. During the fiscal year ended February 29, 2008, we retailed 377,244 used cars and sold 222,406 wholesale vehicles at our in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMax website at http://www.carmax.com/.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011214/CARMAXLOGO )
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk,
