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Summer driving is an American pastime.  From cruising the lakeshore to holiday weekenders, and every mile in-between we love the freedom of being behind the wheel.  Van's Tire & Service has five convenient full service centers to help you get your car ready for safe, reliable summer driving.  Here are some basic maintenance items  Van's Tire & Service suggests you check out before heading into the sun:

 

·         Your air filter - An engine is a big pump, taking in lots of air, mixing  it with fuel and burning the combination to make power.  All the air your engine needs to run efficiently passes through your air filter, which removes dirt from the air as it passes into your engine.  As dirt builds up, the filter will pass less air, suffocating your engine.  Make sure you can see light through your filter.  If not, this inexpensive maintenance item is quick to change and can return enough extra fuel mileage to pay for itself. 

·         Your battery - Summer heat  is hard on your battery and can leave you stranded if it goes bad when you least expect it.  Have a professional service center check your battery and replace it if it is either aging or does not pass muster.  Also, pick up a set of jumper cables to keep in your vehicle, just in case you leave your lights on or run your battery down rocking out at the lakeshore.

·         Your drive belts - A rubber belt, or several, provides power to everything from your alternator, which makes all the car's electricity when it is running, your air conditioning pump, power steering and water pump.  Heat and time can weaken the belt and if it fails you will be calling a tow truck.  Have a qualified professional visually check your belt for heat damage, cracks or checking and replace it if necessary.

·         Your hoses - Rubber hoses are like your engine's circulatory system, moving coolant from your engine to the radiator for cooling.  Like any rubber product, heat and age are the enemy and a failed hose can cause your engine to overheat, which can cause thousands of dollars in damage.  Have a qualified professional visually check your hoses for heat damage or weakness and replace them if necessary.  Have them check your coolant at the same time to make sure it is clean and cooling properly.

·         Your tires - Just like belts and hoses, your tires are made of rubber and are subject to heat damage on hot summer blacktop.  If your tires are underinflated, old or unbalanced you could be significantly reducing the life of the tire or even risking tread separation and a catastrophic blowout.   Take your car to a qualified tire professional to have your tires checked for damage or telltale signs that you need an alignment or balance and rotation.

 

Also, make sure to check your tires pressure once a week to make sure you are running the recommended tire pressure.  Underinflated tires reduce fuel mileage and can shorten the life of the tire or cause tire failure. A little summer maintenance goes a long way.  Let the professionals at Van's Tire & Service keep your vehicle road ready for summer.