Preparing Your Car For All-Terrain Summer Road Trips

LEXINGTON, Ky., May 14, 2003 -- Faced with the domestic and international issues currently in the news, many Americans are replacing tropical and international vacations this summer with good, old-fashioned trips to closer-to-home destinations.

Road trips to the beach, mountains, desert or popular American cities may present opportunities to see the country, catch up on the radio's top tunes or bond with family or friends. But they can also be especially straining on vehicles that are not properly prepared for such trips. Car trouble due to neglected preventive maintenance can add unexpected expense to and deduct valuable time from vacations, often bringing many getaways to an abrupt and undesirable end.

"A long, sustained drive, coupled with the severe environmental conditions of popular summertime destinations, can be a recipe for disaster if a car is not checked out in advance," says Gary "The Gearhead" Galick of Valvoline Instant Oil Change (VIOC). "Simple preventive measures, such as having the oil changed, properly inflating the tires and checking the cooling system, can prevent unnecessary breakdowns that can ruin a vacation. And, because well-maintained vehicles are more fuel-efficient, basic pre-trip checks can also keep vacation expenses down."

Galick notes that both the destination and the route taken to reach it should govern what maintenance checks are most important to perform on the vehicle.

"Different types of climates and road conditions affect a vehicle's operation in particular ways," he says. "So, depending on if it's a drive to the beach, mountains, desert or a major city, there are specific things motorists should do to condition their cars."

Galick offers the following primer for getting a vehicle road-ready for a drive to popular vacation spots:

Beach Getaway

Level terrain and warm temperatures in most coastal areas provide a smooth, low-stress, fuel-efficient cruise to the shoreline. However, salty sea air and sun-drenched roads require that some special attention be paid to the vehicle:

   -- Wash and wax the vehicle with a protective product such as Eagle One
      Wax As-U-Dry to guard the finish, which can fade and rust from the sun
      and salty air.

   -- Similarly, thoroughly clean the underside of the hood and what lies
      beneath. Chances are, there's still salt and grime build-up leftover
      from winter, and added beach salt may damage electrical connections
      and fuel and brake lines underneath.

   -- Clean the car's interior with a UV protectant to shield vinyl and
      plastic surfaces from the sun's harsh rays.

   -- Check the tires for proper inflation pressure, as under-inflated tires
      consume more energy, and be sure to coat them with a UV-blocking
      gloss.

  Mountain Motoring

Steep, narrow, winding roads, high altitudes and unpaved surfaces make mountain driving a challenge and can put a vehicle through rigors it is unaccustomed to. To prepare for these rough conditions:

   -- Check the vehicle's brakes and replace worn pads to prevent brake fade
      when descending steep hills.

   -- Have the engine, transmission and final drive checked according to the
      vehicle owner's manual to lessen the strain mountain driving will put
      on them. If fluid service is required, consider using synthetic fluids
      to protect the engine under variable weather conditions and produce
      better fuel economy.

   -- Inspect the wiper blades and replace them if necessary, as mountain
      climates are subject to sudden and severe rainfall.

   -- Check the battery for corrosion and remaining charge, as high engine
      temperatures caused by climbing steep terrain with heavy loads can
      wear a battery down.

  Desert Driving

Long drives through the desert's hot, dry climate, sandy roads and intense sun can put extreme strain on any vehicle. To avoid getting stuck miles from the nearest service station:

   -- Prevent the leading cause of on-road engine-related breakdowns --
      cooling system failure -- by having the system flushed and refilled
      with fresh coolant before heading to the desert. Used coolant loses
      many of its protective properties and may cause the car to overheat.

   -- Visually inspect the serpentine belt and have it replaced if it shows
      significant cracks. High hood temperatures and long drives can cause
      weak belts to fail, which can prevent the car from operating.

   -- Have the HVAC system's performance tested. Driving through the desert
      without air conditioning or ventilation could be extremely
      uncomfortable, or even dangerous, especially if there are small
      children or elderly passengers on-board.

   -- Inspect the tire tread wear and maintain proper air pressure according
      to the vehicle's owner's manual, as extreme heat can damage both worn
      and brand-new tires.

  Urban Excursion

Heavy traffic, short trips and stop-and-go driving can make visiting a popular city a daunting task not only for the driver, but for the vehicle as well. To prevent stalls in bumper-to-bumper traffic on a one-way street:

   -- Have the engine oil changed, using synthetic oil for added protection
      against the stress created by long periods of idling in city traffic
      and short trips.

   -- Check the car's air filters when you have the oil changed and replace
      them if clogged. A dirty air filter may cause the car to idle or run
      roughly.

   -- Have a fuel system treatment performed to clean intake valve and
      combustion chamber deposits, which can form faster under stop-and-go
      driving conditions. Doing so will help to eliminate rough idle, reduce
      emissions and restore maximum engine power and fuel economy.

   -- Inspect the suspension system and replace the shocks if worn to ensure
      a smooth ride through uneven, pot-holed city streets.

  Not Going Anywhere?

For those motorists whose summer plans may not include a driving vacation, Galick warns of the stress day-to-day warm-weather activities, such as driving the kids to and from games, practices and activities, have on a car. He recommends still taking the time to perform basic maintenance checks on their vehicles.

"Even if you're not planning any out-of-town trips, summer is much more enjoyable when you don't have to worry about breakdowns or major vehicle repairs," he says. "And performing basic maintenance checks on your car doesn't need to be a expensive, time-consuming or daunting experience. Virtually all the work can be turned over to a professional."

With more than 700 locations, VIOC has certified technicians standing by across the country to help motorists with their summer car care needs, whether their plans call for hitting the road to enjoy Florida's beaches, Tennessee's Smoky Mountains, the deserts of the Southwest or the big city nightlife, or simply staying put in their hometowns. VIOC customers who require service while away from home can access their vehicle service history through the automotive service chain's Maximum Vehicle Performance(R) system simply by stopping at any VIOC service center or by logging onto www.vioc.com, where they can also find the nearest location.

About Valvoline Instant Oil Change

Lexington, Ky.-based VIOC is one of the nation's largest providers of "do-it-for-me" automotive fluid maintenance services. VIOC service centers offer a complete selection of oil changes, including choices of: Valvoline MaxLife(TM) Motor Oils, created for vehicles with mileages over 75,000; synthetic oils which increase fuel efficiency, including Valvoline DuraBlend(R) Synthetic Blend and Valvoline SynPower(R) Full Synthetic Motor Oils; and Valvoline All-Climate(R) Motor Oil, formulated to protect engines in a wide range of temperatures.

VIOC centers also provide a complete regimen of preventive maintenance checks, free fluid top-offs and other maintenance services and products, all presented in an environment with the highest emphasis on customer service. VIOC is a subsidiary of Ashland Inc. , a 79-year-old, Fortune 500 company.