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

The specialists at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence suggest the following tips on preparing your car:

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

* Seek a methodical repair facility with recent equipment in the service bays and certified automotive technicians being staff, as shown by trade school diplomas, credentials of advanced course work and training, plus national certification of the individual technicians by ASE.

* Flush and replenish the cooling system (radiator) as indicated in the service manual's recommendations. The level, state and strength of the coolant should be checked regularly. Make sure the engine has cooled down before taking off 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 improved gasoline mileage, and you could put off more costly repairs.

* Don't overlook your transmission and brakes. Costly repairs can be avoided by routine service. Neglected brakes can give rise to safety issues, too.

* Find out a qualified auto technician to verify the condition of belts, clamps and hoses, but be precautionary by looking for signs of deterioration.

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

* Replace the oil and oil filter as detailed in the owner's manual. This straightforward, inexpensive service can boost the life of your vehicle.

* Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV) as suggested 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 troubles with your tires or suspension system.

* Exchange your headlights with some good quality aftermarket headlights. Good custom headlights or even just a nice new series of H11 bulbs for your standard lights will make a vast 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 spoiled your lenses to the point where they actually need to be replaced.

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