Road Trip!: NAPA Recommends Planning Ahead This Summer To Prevent Heat-Related Breakdowns

ATLANTA--May 2, 20054, 2005--NAPA AUTO PARTS encourages summer travelers to prepare their vehicles for the wear and tear caused by high temperatures, as summer road trips can be as stressful for cars as for the people operating them.

Hard driving combined with heat from the highway and stop-and-go traffic can cause parts to fail, resulting in time-consuming breakdowns and costly repairs, according to Jeff Walker, 2005 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year and owner of Walker's Automotive Services in Pleasantville, N.J.

"Automobiles are expensive, high-tech equipment that require care when operating under extreme summer conditions," said Walker. "Preventive maintenance is key to making sure a vehicle is dependable and operating efficiently, which can help reduce fuel costs and extend the life of the vehicle. Consumers should ensure their automotive technician checks everything from fluid levels to belts and hoses, tire pressure, filters and brakes."

Belts, hoses, batteries and tires are the parts most likely to fail during the summer. Rubber belts and hoses often deteriorate on the inside making the damage nearly impossible to see. As heat builds beneath the hood, a frayed belt can break and a hose may spring a leak. Summer heat is also a battery's worst enemy. Hot temperatures can accelerate the chemical reaction in a battery, causing it to break down faster than usual.

Contrary to popular belief, heat will build up faster in a tire that is under-inflated rather than over-inflated, which makes checking tire pressure essential.

"Because so many places charge for air, drivers often go down the highway with tires that are almost flat," said Walker. "When you have the heat from the road and the extra weight represented by luggage and extra people in the vehicles, tires are more likely than ever to blow out."

Although most drivers know to have the oil in their cars changed routinely, many overlook transmission fluid and antifreeze. Both substances have additives that deplete over time.

"It's important to make sure the vehicle's cooling system is working and that fluids are at proper strength because heat can damage a transmission and an engine quickly," cautioned Walker.

He added that brakes, windshield wipers and lights should be inspected before any trip.

"Drivers may not realize the rubber is worn on their wipers until driving in a storm and the wipers can't keep the windshield dry," said Walker. "It's the same with lights and turn signals. A driver may not know, for example, that the brake lights are not working until someone runs into his or her car."

Walker recommends routine maintenance year-round for cost efficiency and longer vehicle life. NAPA AutoCare Centers offer a preventive maintenance program that includes a complete inspection and regular monitoring of vehicle systems. Consumers can learn more about the preventative maintenance program by contacting their local NAPA AutoCare Center.

"Too often, consumers tend to think about their cars and what they need to do to keep them going down the road when it's too late," Walker said. "Planning ahead can save precious vacation time and help assure a safe trip." About NAPA AUTO PARTS

NAPA AUTO PARTS distributes parts, accessories, tools and equipment to 6,000 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores and more than 12,000 NAPA AutoCare Centers nationwide. ASE (the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) is a 33-year-old not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians and dissemination of information to consumers, the news media and other publics to promote informed decision-making when seeking automotive parts.