5 tips to get your car ready for 4th of July travel

If you plan to hit the road for the 4th of July, check out the top five tips to get your car ready for your trip.  

Howard Fleischmann, NARPRO (Network of Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals) representative and owner of Community Tire Pros and Auto Repair said, "There are a few easy and inexpensive ways for consumers to make sure their car is in tip-top shape before heading out on the open highway this 4th of July."
    
1. Check your tires. A blown tire at a high rate of speed leads to hundreds of fatal accidents every year according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration. Look for foreign objects, uneven wear patterns in the tread, bald spots, any cracks or exposed metal and check your tire pressure monthly.
    
2.  Check your radiator fluid level and have it tested every year. This coolant plays a crucial role in maintaining your engine's efficiency and the longer and the faster you drive, the bigger the stress on your engine and the higher likelihood of overheating.
    
3.  Have a qualified technician check all hoses and belts for cracks, leaks and loose connections. Hoses should be firm, not soft or brittle and in Arizona they need to be replaced on the average every four years or 60,000 miles.  Ask for "Type EC" on the hose, labeled for Electromechanical Degradation resistance.  Belts need to be replaced every 50,000 miles as the composite belts don't show signs of wear until the failure occurs.
     
4. Get your brakes checked. This is the most important safety feature on your vehicle and good brakes can mean the difference between being able to avoid an accident and not.
 
5. Clean your battery and have it checked by a professional to assure it has enough power to get you to and from your summer vacation destination. The Arizona heat can significantly cut down on the life of your battery."


For more information on NARPRO or to find an approved service center near your home or work visit www.narpro.com.