Article published October 11, 2009
Ready to hit the road? Have your car checked out first
OK, ladies, you have decided to venture away from the home fires, get in your car, and head for greener pastures, at least for a few weeks.
If a trip is in your plans and you are like me, you are probably digging through the closets and fussing about what to pack. Don't be embarrassed if you have stacks of clothing and accessories you don't want to forget to take with you.
The day will come when you will need to refer to those stacks, but for now we have to get our cars ready for the trip.
Granted, that is not nearly as exciting as making sure you have enough tops to go with the slacks you will take. Or pulling a skirt and "dress-up" outfit from the closet just in case the out-of-town social schedule includes a special day or evening out. You know what we say: It is always better to pack it than to go shopping in a strange city. But then we go shopping anyway.
Our car is the prime instrument of travel. Unless it is a brand-new vehicle, fresh off the sales floor, it should be checked for safety and for peace of mind. Remember years ago all the problems that happened with our first cars? It seems that I had a flat tire at least once a week, or the fuel line broke, or the battery was dead. Then there was the alternator that quit working as I drove on a four-lane highway.
My first car was memorable. The green 1949 Buick with a black top leaked to a degree that you got wet going through a car wash, and I once discovered grass sprouting under the floor mats. My next car, a 1955 red-and-white Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, wasn't much better. The last time I saw it, a helpful friend was pushing it into a garage.Because the budget has allowed purchases of newer models in good condition and I have the good sense to take care of them, I can't remember the last time I suffered a serious road problem. One reason Gladys, the 1991 Olds, is so special is because she was my first new car and it was a cash deal. Yes, I still drive Gladys occasionally and she's still a honey.
Henry Maxwell, the car that will take Digby and me to Florida this year, is in need of tires. While tires are essential, there are other things we must check before the trip.
Randy Lake, Maumee Tireman store manager, defines the most critical parts of a car for a check-up as "under the car" and "under the hood." Under the car refers to the tires and to the air in them. The things to check under the hood are the brakes, the coolant, belts, and hoses. Mr. Lake suggests that customers ask for a safety inspection while they are getting the oil changed. "It should take about an hour and in some places it's free," he said.
Choosing tires requires some calculating and judgment.
Bob Kazmierczak, regional operations manager of the three AAA Car Care Plus shops, says car owners should take some initiative when deciding to buy new tires.
He recommends that the customer ask to see the tires when the car is on the lift. "That way they can see clearly the wear on the edges and if they are worn evenly," he said. Mr. Kazmierczak warns that generally the lower the cost of the tires, the lower the quality. He emphasizes that customers also check the warranty.
Fuel prices are always a consideration, especially when a long trip is planned. Mr. Kazmierczak encourages drivers to take an extra step beyond shopping for the best gas prices. Drivers can expect better fuel efficiency with regular maintenance, including oil changes and fluid flushes.
"Another factor in fuel efficiency is tires," Mr. Kazmierczak said. Automobile owners should make sure tires have plenty of tread for good traction and are properly inflated.
Mr. Lake's advice is to determine how much longer you intend to keep the car and add 10,000 miles to the tires that are purchased. In other words, if a shopper intends to keep the car for another 40,000 miles it is wise to buy 50,000-mile tires.
Oil is the lifeblood of the car's engine and should be changed along with the filter as often as the owner's manual recommends. The mechanic should know which oil weight is best because it is listed in the manual.
Two more car tips before we get started. Check the washer fluid in the reservoir often to be sure it is full or nearly so. Little is as frightening as driving on a busy highway in the rain and running out of washer fluid. And never let the gas go below a half-full tank. Don't let saving a few pennies a gallon keep you driving until the gauge drops to the big E.
Have a great drive, ladies. Remember, we can do it.
Mary Alice Powell is a retired Blade food editor.
Contact her at: mpowell@theblade.com.
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