Seasonal service

Family vacations make for life-long memories. How can you help prevent those journeys from becoming a bittersweet adventure?

According to experts, one of the simplest ways is to take your vehicle for a simple check-up.

"A little maintenance goes a long way in keeping your family safe and your vehicle on the road," says John Wallauch, Chief of California's Bureau of Automotive Repair. "You should be spending your time enjoying your trip, not worrying about whether your car will make it to your vacation destination and back home."

Fuel economy is always a moving target. Sometimes your vehicle may deliver exceptional mileage performance while other times it burns gas like a dragster.

What gives?

“Your vehicle’s mileage is influenced by a long list of factors and many of those things are under your control,” said Tony Molla, vice president of communications at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. “The way you drive and regular maintenance are crucial to maximizing mileage performance.”

Automatic transmissions have made operating a motor vehicle safe and more convenient. Drivers no longer need to struggle through gear changes common in “manual” transmissions.
 
Yet, “automatic” does not mean “maintenance free.” How can you help keep your vehicle’s automatic transmission operating properly and prevent expensive breakdowns?
 

Few things take as much abuse in a vehicle as the braking system. The effectiveness of your vehicle’s stopping power comes down to a few critical parts that need to be inspected regularly.
 
The high pitched squeal of old brake pads lets drivers know when they need replacing. But what about rotors, the metal discs that play a vital role in stopping your vehicle?
 

You’re driving to a special event on the first hot day of spring and switch on the air conditioner. You expected cool crisp air and got a damp musty odor instead.

What happened?

“Air conditioning systems use hoses to drain condensation,” said Tony Molla, vice president of communication at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. “When they get clogged, the moisture allows mold to grow in the system.”