Tips to Keep Your Car in Tip-Top Shape
by Brandon Miller
It’s August and that means back-to-school time is here. Carpooling, bringing your kids to school every day and running around town to extracurricular activities like football and dance is right around the corner, if not already happening. Whether you are driving just down the street or have to run all around town, this is a great time to make sure your car is in tip-top shape for getting your kids to and from where they need to be. Brandon Miller, an instructor at Universal Technical Institute’s Dallas campus in Irving, offers five easy tips to make sure car problems won’t interfere with your day.
1. Check out the essentials. Check all fluids, including engine oil, brake and transmission fluid and windshield wiper fluid to make sure they are clean and at the appropriate levels. Take a look at all hoses and belts to make sure they don’t have excessive wear, and check your battery to make sure it’s clean and corrosion free. Also test your windshield wipers and interior and exterior lights to make sure they are all functioning properly.
2. Inspect your tires. Check air pressure on all tires (including your spare tire) as tires that are not properly inflated could be costing you gas mileage. Also check the tread and inspect each tire for bulges, bald spots, or uneven wear.
3. Check your air conditioning system. Nothing is worse than driving your kids to school on a hot day in a hot car. Bring your car to a professional if you feel like it’s not getting cool enough.
4. Clean your vehicle inside and out. Vacuum the carpets and clean all the glass in the car. You’ll be surprised at how much dust and haze is removed and how much better you’ll be able to see, especially at night. Try to remove any excessive weight from your car like boxes and books. Extra weight in the trunk or cargo area can decrease your gas mileage.
5. Inspect your brakes. If you don’t know how to check to make sure your brakes are working properly, have a professional automotive technician inspect the brake linings, rotors and drums. An easy rule to remember is to have your brakes looked at each time you get an oil change.
By following the steps above you can keep your car running smoothly and avoid costly repairs down the road. And if you’re not a car person, have a trained automotive technician take a look at your vehicle.
Brandon Miller is an instructor at Universal Technical Institute’s Dallas campus and has been with the campus for two years. Before joining Universal Technical Institute, Brandon worked at a small independent shop for almost 8 years, and then worked as a Toyota Technician at two different dealerships for almost 11 years. Brandon is an ASE Master with L1 and was a “Master Diagnostic Technician” when he was with Toyota. In his spare time, Brandon likes fishing, hiking and working on his 66 El Camino.