Vacation Ahead? Here's a Check List

It's vacation time.

Before you load the family and the accompanying suitcases in the car, and drive away, there are a few things that should be attended to, which will vastly improve your chances of having a trouble-free vacation.

There are many things owners can do, even in their driveways, that can prevent possible breakdown.

1. Inspect the drive belts. Grab the belt with your fingers and twist it over and examine it. (This would be a good time to kill the engine.) Examine the belt for cracks, brittleness and glaze. If any of these symptoms exist, put it on your list of things to have done.
2. Examine all hose. With a rag or gloves, squeeze the radiator hose. If the walls of the hose give in easily you should have this looked at also. Watch for evidence of previous leak stains. You car may be leaking while running. Check the vacuum
hoses for brittleness.
3. Check the windshield wipers and determine if they are brittle or hard. Clean them with a good detergent.
4. Fill the windshield washer bottle reservoir with a mix of solvent and water.
5. Check the tire pressure in all tires, including spare. If you don't have a tire pressure gauge, you should get one. Long tire life depends on proper tire pressure.

VISIBLE CHECKS CAN BE PERFORMED BY THE OWNER

I will have more checks to be made at the repair shop at the next posting.

Harold