Spring is the perfect time to get your vehicle ready for the busy summer driving season ahead. It’s wise to have your vehicle checked out before summer’s heavy vacation traffic and stop-and-go conditions begin in earnest.
The experts at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence offer the following tips on getting your vehicle ready:
* Read the owner’s manual and follow the recommended service schedules. Pay attention to “regular” vs. “severe” schedules listed, and determine which is appropriate for your driving conditions and habits.
* Look for an orderly repair facility with modern equipment in the service bays and qualified automotive technicians on staff, as evidenced by trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work and training, as well as national certification of the individual technicians by ASE.
* Flush and refill the cooling system (radiator) according to the service manual’s recommendations. The level, condition and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. Make sure the engine has cooled down before removing the radiator cap. Engine...