Check Hoses and Belts

The key to summer driving is keeping the engine cool. We're going to talk about the radiator and coolant soon, but first you need to check the hoses and belts. The hoses connected to the radiator help pump coolant to and from the engine block, and the belts run the fan that helps cool the system further. If the hoses crack or the belts snap, the radiator will quickly overheat, leaving you stranded.

Check hoses for cracks, leaks and loose connections. Hoses should be firm, never soft and malleable. Hoses suffer from a slow deterioration process called electrochemical degradation (ECD) that eats away at rubber hose material from the inside. The most vulnerable parts of the hose are those nearest to clamps where the hose connects to the radiator or the engine.

Belts can also be visually checked for cracks and damage. Take note if the belt looks excessively slick or smooth. Remove the belt to make sure that the material hasn't started separating into different layers. Experts say the risk of belt failure rises dramatically after 36,000 miles (57,936 kilometers).

Change Oil and Oil Filter

Oil is the lifeblood of your car. It keeps hardworking engine parts running clean, smooth and cool. Most owner's manuals suggest that you change your oil and oil filter every 7,500 miles (12,070 kilometers). Oil change specialists suggest every 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) or three months. The fact is, most of us do a lot of heavy driving during the summer when an engine is more likely to overheat. So at least check your oil before you head out on that road trip with the family.

To check your oil, let your car run for a few minutes, then park it on a level surface and shut off the engine. Open the hood and locate the oil dipstick. You're looking for two things here: the level of oil and how the oil looks. If you're low on oil, you can either add another quart or simply change the oil completely. The oil should look brownish yellow and clean on the stick. If the oil is a dark color or there's a lot of dirt and grime in it, then you definitely need an oil change and oil filter replacement.

Consumers Digest named six Chevy vehicles among their Automotive Best Buys for the 2012 model year

Whether it’s a compact that gives you more or a top-selling high performance sports car, Chevrolet continues to shine through the competition. Consumers Digest recently named six Chevy vehicles among its Automotive Best Buys for the 2012 model year, an honor given after a thorough evaluation on performance qualities such as starting and acceleration, shifting, steering, handling, braking, ride quality, and fuel economy.

“Few purchases are more important, or require more research than buying a new vehicle,” says Randy Weber, Consumers Digest’s publisher. “Our analyses underscore our commitment to ensure that consumers are as satisfied with their auto purchase years after making it as they were on the day they drove off the lot.”



For the 2012 model year, Chevy was recognized with six Best Buys in four categories. In the Sporty Car category, Corvette (excludes ZR1) was named a Best Buy for its seventh year in a row along with Camaro, which also named for its third year in a row. For Compact SUVs, Equinox was named as a Best Buy for its third year in a row. Under Midsize SUVs, Traverse was named as a Best Buy for its fourth year in a row. For the Family Car category, Malibu nabbed another Best Buy rating for its fourth year in a row, along with Cruze, which earned an automotive Best Buy award for its first year ever.

The impressive turn out of the Consumers Digest Best Buy ratings shows that when that time to buy a new car rolls around, Chevy offers a wide spectrum of vehicle choices to best suit your lifestyle, whatever that may be.

If you’re into quenching that thirst for power and performance, maybe it’s sportier cars like Corvette or Camaro. If you’re looking to navigate the twists and turns of modern-day living, taking you from long work commutes to long road trips with family and friends, then perhaps it’s a crossover like Equinox or Traverse. And what if you’re looking for that smooth mid-size to compact ride that will have you hitting the road in style, then maybe you’ll find Malibu or Cruze among your top picks. Whatever your lifestyle calls for, Chevy is there to give you the best pick in vehicles and help take you wherever life leads to.

Car Cleaning Myth: Wax protection can be guaranteed to last up to 5 years

Oh, boy, don't get me started on this one.  The fact of the matter is, car waxes and paint sealants are getting much better, but our environment is getting much worse.  There is simply no way to guarantee the protective time of a car wax because every car, every car owner and every location is is different.  The best advise is to wax your car every season with a quality paint sealant, like Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 (#1 selling car wax!).  While I'm debunking car wax myths, there's also no truth in the myth that paste wax offers better protection than liquid wax.  It all depends on the product.  Some paste waxes shine like a son-of-a-gun, but won't last a month.

Car Cleaning Myth: Diapers, old t-shirts and flannel cloths are best for detailing

Will this ever go away?  I've been trying to debunk this myth for the better part of twenty years.  Never use diapers, old t-shirts, old bath towels, etc., on your car.  They may feel soft, but they are stitched with polyester thread.  I promise you, the polyester will scratch and swirl your car's clearcoat.  Use microfiber towels designed for car detailing, like Meguiars Supreme Shine Microfiber or Cobra Microfiber Detailing Cloths.

Car Cleaning Myth: Waxing removes swirl marks

Don't we all wish! No, unfortunately swirl marks are actually paint damage -- scratches to be exact -- and the only remedy is to polish them away.  Here's the real bummer: it's very difficult to remove swirl marks by hand on clearcoat finishes, so a car polisher is essential.  It used to be that you could wax your car with a good cleaner wax (remember Simoniz and Turtle Wax?), and the polishing abrasives in the wax would clean, polish and protect your car in a single step.  This type of treatment no longer works on clear coat finishes.  In fact, some of the older cleaner wax products will scour a modern clearcoat finish.  For best result, use two steps: polish to remove swirl marks and wax to protect.  Here's a foolproof system: Griots Garage Random Orbital Polish & Wax Kit.  This is a perfect starter kit.