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Vacation and Your Car

Summer is quickly approaching and several people will be taking vacations and traveling a significant distance from home. General car maintenance is essential for your vehicles maximum performance. We have listed as few useful tips as suggested by AAA South to assure your vehicle is travel ready!

Your air-filter should be checked each time you have your oil changed and replaced if you can not see a bright light such as the sun through the filter at all points. Oxygen is a necessity for proper fuel combustion and efficient engine performance. This will also increase your miles per gallon you receive and decrease the money spent out of pocket at the pump. Battery inspection and maintenance is vital to your vehicles operation. The battery supplies all the power to the electrical components and more importantly it supplies the electrical current to the starter motor to start the engine. You must keep the battery case clean, check the electrolyte levels and remove any corrosion that may have formed around the connections. All these maintenance tips should be done routinely to maximize your vehicle’s performance. Lastly, properly rotate your tires and inspect the wear on them regularly. It is suggested by AAA to have your alignment checked every 12,000 miles and your tires rotated every 6,000 miles. Regularly rotating and aligning your vehicles tires will ensure you receive the maximum lifetime usage of your tires. Improper inflation, too much or too little air in your tires will effect the tire wear and can lead to blowout or a flat tire.

Remember, by spending the money on routine maintenance now may very well prevent a much larger repair bill in the future. This will also ensure you will receive the maximum miles per gallon for your vehicle. Always consult your owner’s manual for proper maintenance guidelines and service suggestions.