Spring is the ideal time to get your car ready for the busy summer driving season ahead. It's advisable to have your vehicle inspected before summer's heavy vacation traffic and stop-and-go conditions begin earnestly.

The professionals at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence suggest the following tips on getting your vehicle ready:

* Look at the owner's manual and keep up to the suggested service schedules. Pay attention to "regular" vs. "severe" schedules listed, and find out which is right for your driving conditions and habits.

* Try to find a systematic repair facility with modern equipment in the service bays and certified automotive technicians being workers, as evidenced by trade school diplomas, credentials of advanced course work and training, plus national certification of the individual technicians by ASE.

* Flush and fill up the cooling system (radiator) as stated in the service manual's recommendations. The level, condition and strength of the coolant should be checked regularly. Make sure the engine has cooled down before removing the radiator cap. Engine overheating is the most frequent summer breakdown.

* Have engine performance conditions rectified, such as hard starts, rough idling and stalling. You'll get better gasoline mileage, and you could avert more expensive repairs.

* Don't overlook your transmission and brakes. Expensive repairs can be prevented by routine service. Neglected brakes can cause safety issues, too.

* Find out a qualified auto technician to test the condition of belts, clamps and hoses, but be preventive by looking for signs of wear, cracking or fraying.

* Have a marginally running air conditioner system repaired by a technician qualified to handle refrigerants. Older units often contain ozone-depleting chemicals that could be emitted into the air due to improper or incompetent service.

* Change the oil and oil filter as indicated in the owner's manual. This simple, inexpensive service can boost the life of your vehicle.

* Change other filters (air, fuel, PCV) as recommended in the service manual.

* Check the condition of tires, including the spare. Let the tires "cool down" prior to checking their pressure. Bumpy wear, "cupping", vibrations or "pulling" to one side indicates difficulties with your tires or suspension system.

* Change your headlights with some good aftermarket headlights. Good custom headlights or even just a nice new series of H11 bulbs for your normal lights will make a huge difference when you're traveling at night. Hardly ever do you realize how weak your headlights are until you upgrade. Chances are the winter road grim has ruined your lenses to the point where they actually need to be replaced.

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