Avoid Being Stranded this Summer

The record-setting heat seen across the country can put extra stress on your car -- especially if it has a lot of miles on it. You'll notice an increased number of cars on the side of the road, particularly on these really hot days.

There are some simple preventative maintenance steps you can take to avoid walking instead of driving this summer.

Tires: Think about walking across the blacktop parking lot barefoot on a hot summer day -- that is what your tires experience during summer months. In addition, the heat is multiplied by the friction caused by the weight of your car. Heat pushes the materials your tires are made of to their limit, causing blowouts and flat tires. Make sure a reputable mechanic looks at your tires at least every 3,000 miles. Also, in between, make sure you keep your tires inflated to the manufacturer's specification, which is found in the vehicle's owner's manual. This will not only prolong tire life but help reduce fuel consumption.

Belts: Another wearable item that is put under extra stress in the summer months is the serpentine belt, sometimes called the fan belt. The added under the hood heat and the use of air conditioning weakens it, and if broken it immobilizes your car. For less than half of the price of a tow-truck ride home, you can buy a new serpentine belt and have it installed.

Cooling system: Oil changes are followed pretty regularly by most owners. However, an often overlooked fluid change is your cooling system fluid, or coolant. While this fluid lasts thousands of miles, and many manufactures call their coolant “100,000 mile” fluid, it should not be neglected. Have your dealer or mechanic test your fluid to ensure that it is up to snuff. Also, if your car does not have the high-mileage fluid in it, having it flushed and changed every two years is a good rule of thumb.

Air conditioning: While this system won't always leave you stranded when it fails (though it can), living without A/C on a hot day isn't fun. There is a lubricant in the system that can break down over time, and it should be conditioned every three years or as needed.

- Courtesy of Autoweek