RK Auto Group Helps Car Owners Get Ready For Summer Road Trips With Maintenance Checklist

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Thomas Kline
RK Auto Group
757-431-6507
tomkline@rkautogroup.net
RK Auto Group Helps Car Owners Get Ready For Summer Road Trips With Maintenance Checklist
[Virginia Beach, VA — March 20, 2006] With so many exciting things to see and do right here in the U.S., an increasing number of Americans are foregoing international travel in favor of road trips to the beach, mountains, and other domestic hotspots. RK Auto Group (RK Buick, RK Chevrolet, RK Subaru, RK Scion and RK Toyota ), Virginia Beach’s premier auto dealership, offers seasonal maintenance checklists for car owners across the country to prepare for road trips and decrease their risk of becoming stranded.
Ensure a pleasant summer road trip by showing your vehicle a little TLC.
1. There’s a lot riding on your tires—make sure they can handle it.
Prevent unnecessary wear by rotating tires whenever you change the oil. (RK Toyota technicians recommend a rotation every 6,000 miles.) If the tread is fairly worn, consider replacing tires before departing. If the"wear bars" (rubber strips that usually are darker than the tire) are clearly evident, RK Toyota advocates immediate tire replacement.
2. Like tires, brakes are crucial to your family's safety.

RK Subaru technicians encourage having brakes checked whenever tires are rotated. If brakes make unusual squealing or grinding noises depressed, new ones might be in order.

3. Pay attention to belts and hoses to decrease the risk of a breakdown.

Fan belts, which used to last about a year, are now much more durable, so people tend to neglect them. However, RK Subaru technicians report that belts and hoses are the second-biggest cause of auto breakdowns after failed batteries. Have the belts and hoses checked during an oil change or other service visit.

4. Batteries die in the summer too.

Dead batteries are not just a wintertime nuisance. According to the RK Subaru service department, batteries deteriorate even faster in hot weather. Have your battery checked by a professional, especially if it is over three years old.

5. Seat belts save lives--make sure they work well.

Belts should unreel smoothly when pulled, and retract securely after the latch is fastened. If your belt is not fitting snugly, check the "retractor" (a spool-like device near the floor) for stuck debris. On older cars, make sure the belts are not frayed or torn.

6. Compensate for a heavy load.

If you are hauling excessive weight, adjustments may be in order. The RK Scion Service Department recommends consulting your owner’s manual on how to compensate for extra heavy loads. If you own a high-riding sport utility vehicle or minivan, avoid using a roof cargo carrier, which raises the center of gravity and increases the risk of a rollover.

RK Auto Group (RK Buick, RK Chevrolet, RK Subaru, RK Scion and RK Toyota) was founded in 1964. RK Chevrolet is the recipient of Chevrolet Motor Division’s coveted Service Supremacy Award four years in a row. This is an award which less than 400 of the nation's 5,000 Chevrolet dealers have won. RK Auto Group has been included in the Ward’s Auto list of top 500 U.S. car dealers, and has received the prestigious "Genuine Leaders Award" for excellence in sales, service, and customer satisfaction. The dedication of each employee at RK Chevrolet, RK Buick, RK Subaru, RK Scion and RK Toyota made these awards possible.