Jay's Kirkland Autocare, Kirkland Washington, AAA auto service provider

Get your automobile ready for summer vacation travel...

car So you think you have your summer vacation completely planned. You’ve taken time off, chosen your destination and made all the reservations. But what about your vehicle’s maintenance checkup? Oops! You don’t want to forget about this important step.

The long drive through summer's heat, dust, and stop-and-go traffic can take a toll on your car or truck. If you want to depend on your automobile throughout the summer, now is the time to have a qualified technician perform a service checkup. Here are some of the components and systems that should be inspected:

	Air Conditioning - Check the refrigerant level, belts and overall operation of the system.
	Cooling System - Check the level and condition of the coolant in your radiator. Old coolant will not help regulate your engines temperature and could lead to expensive repairs. Also check the hoses for leaks, cracks, and swelling. A worn hose can burst anytime, especially during hot-weather driving.
	Brakes - Perhaps no other part of your car or truck takes as much punishment as the brakes. Don’t gamble with your safety. Have a pro inspect the brakes for wear and proper operation.
	Wheel Alignment - Now is a good time to have your vehicle's wheel alignment checked. Highways seem to spawn potholes every year. And because of the delicate calibration of all four wheels in today's automobiles, hitting just one pothole can throw the alignment out of whack. Uneven tire wear and/or steering difficulty can indicate alignment problems.
	Oil Changes - Most auto makers recommend an oil and filter change every three months or 3,000 miles. Consult your owners’ manual to find out regular maintenance schedule specifics.

Not only will preventative maintenance help avert breakdowns, it will also help your vehicle get better gas mileage - a fact you’ll definitely appreciate when taking a summer vacation by car.