RK Auto Group Helps Car Owners Get Ready For Spring/Summer Driving 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 Spring/Summer Driving With Maintenance Checklist

[Virginia Beach, VA — February 22, 2006] With warm weather right around the corner, many Americans are planning to load up their vehicles and drive to their spring/summer vacation destinations. Preventative maintenance now can reverse damage caused by winter and keep drivers safe on the road. 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 improve their vehicle’s performance and decrease their risk of becoming stranded.

RK Auto Group Spring Checklist #1: Items You Can Perform On Your Own

1. Remove clutter from your car. Vacuum the carpeting; Windex the windows; wipe the headlights with a soft, damp rag. Wash and wax your vehicle to remove winter salt and grime and protect the finish.
2. Cooling system (radiator): flush and refill according to the service manual’s instructions. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. Important: first let the engine cool down before removing the radiator cap.
3. RK Toyota service technicians tell us that skipping oil changes can greatly reduce your vehicle’s life. Change the oil and oil filter as specified in your owner’s manual. Be sure to properly dispose of used oil. Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV, etc.) as recommended in your service manual.
4. Check your tires, including the spare. Let them cool down before checking their pressure. Uneven wear, cupping, vibrations, or pulling to one side indicates problems with your tires or suspension system.
5. For safety and convenience, inspect all lights and bulbs, and replace any that are burned out.
6. Replace worn wiper blades and always have plenty of washer solvent on-hand to combat summer’s dust and insects.
7. Read your owner’s manual and follow the recommended service schedules.

RK Auto Group Spring Checklist #2: Mechanical Services to Schedule with your Auto Technician

1. First, find a quality service shop. Look for one that services cars equal in value to your own (their parking lot will speak volumes!). Go inside and check out the equipment in the service bays (for example, our RK Chevrolet service center has state-of-the-art, computerized equipment. This facilitates faster diagnosis and repair, getting you back on the road quicker.) To find out the qualifications of the technicians, scan the walls for trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work and training classes.
2. Have your technician check the tightness and condition of belts, clamps, and hoses. Anything that is worn or damaged should be replaced to prevent sudden breakdowns.
3. If your air conditioner system is faulty, have it checked. Air conditioners on older vehicles often contain ozone-depleting chemicals that could be released into the air if the system isn’t working properly.
4. If your engine is experiencing hard starts, rough idling, or stalling, have it fixed. This will improve your gasoline mileage and prevent minor problems from becoming expensive repairs later on.
5. Don’t neglect your transmission. RK Toyota technicians report that routine service can eliminate costly repairs down the road.

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. In 1998, RK Auto Group received the prestigious "Genuine Leaders Award" for excellence in sales, service, and customer satisfaction. The dedication of each employee at RK Toyota, RK Chevrolet, RK Buick, RK Subaru, and RK Scion made these awards possible.