Car Vacation Tips from the Pros

(WMS)The vacation season is about to go into high gear, but failure to have your vehicle properly serviced can leave you and your family stranded at roadside, warn the pros at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

The long and short of preparation is timely vehicle maintenance. Read your owner's manual and follow the manufacturer's recommended service schedules. Weak systems will likely fail under summer's heat and tough, stop-and-go driving conditions.

Among the major items to check: air conditioning; cooling system (radiator and hoses); oil and filter; brakes, tires, and steering and suspension; transmission; engine performance; and, yes, even the battery.

Don't forget to inspect all lights and bulbs, keep plenty of washer fluid on hand and replace worn wiper blades.

If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, seek out an ASE-certified auto technician at a reputable repair facility with a courteous staff, modern equipment in the service bays and vehicles equal in value to yours in the parking lot.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded in 1972 as a nonprofit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact area(s) of certification. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign.

For a free brochure with summertime automotive tips, send a self-addressed, stamped business-sized envelope to: ASE Summer Brochure, Dept. MC-201, 13505 Dulles Technology Dr., Suite 2, Herndon, VA 20171-3421 or visit www.asecert.org for more information.