HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-04-12, Page 21(MS) — This is the season for
planning and embarking on a
vacation. For many vacationers,
destinations are reached by plane,
train or bus.
However, many others choose to
make the journey as much a part of
the vacation as the final destination
and travel via RV.
RVs come in sizes and price
ranges to meet just about any budget.
Motorized ones are more expensive
and are generally a home on wheels.
Towable RVs can be folding or
conventional camping trailers that
are pulled by another vehicle.
When most people envision an RV,
they are usually thinking of the
motorized variety.
While RV owners come in all
types, according to a University of
Michigan study conducted in 2001,
the majority of owners are Baby
Boomers — the fastest-growing
segment of RV buyers.
They likely own their homes and
spend their disposable income on
traveling.
RVs provide a comfortable,
affordable and practical method of
vacationing, particularly in larger
motorized homes.
They can also foster a feeling of
togetherness among families who
RV vacation together. RVs provide
one of the most flexible ways to see
the country — on your own
schedule.
They can also be used for non-
traditional purposes, such as
tailgating, shopping and more.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2007. PAGE 21.
On the road
Recreational vehicles can offer an ideal way to spend a
road trip vacation with family or friends. (MS photo)
(MS) - Your car dashboard has a
variety of gauges and warning lights
to help you monitor what’s going on,
mechanically and electrically, as
you drive.
All the warning lights should
come on for a few seconds when you
start the car. This reassures you that
the bulbs still work. But when a light
stays on longer or starts to glow as
you drive, it’s trying to tell you
something.
While driving during the summer
months, pay close attention to the
temperature gauge and warning
light.
When the temperature light comes
on, it means your engine is
overheating. An engine should not
overheat if the cooling system is
properly filled and is working
normally - even during hot weather
or stop-and-go driving.
Sometimes abnormal driving
conditions such as towing a heavy
trailer during hot weather may
overload the cooling system’s
capacity to control heat, but usually
a temperature warning light means
trouble.
If the temperature light glows,
stop driving immediately, pull over
to the side of the road, shut the
engine off and wait for it to cool
down.
Do not attempt to open the
radiator! The radiator contains hot
coolant under high pressure.
Opening the cap could allow steam
and coolant to blow out and result in
skin burns.
Wait at least half an hour or more
to let the engine cool down, and then
check the fluid level in the plastic
coolant recovery tank located near
the front of the engine. It’s probably
low. Adding water is a temporary
fix, until you can have your
technician check for leaks in the
cooling system.
Common leak points include
radiator and heater hoses, the water
pump and the radiator. Internal leaks
(such as a crack in the head or
engine) can’t be seen and can only
be diagnosed by pressure testing the
cooling system.
If you keep driving an engine that
is overheating, it can cause serious
damage. The engine may start to
knock (caused by detonation),
which in turn can cause piston, ring
and head gasket damage. As the
internal parts of the engine expand
from the excessive heat, clearances
may be reduced to the point where
metal-to-metal contact occurs.
Valve stems may gall and stick,
and the pistons and camshaft might
scuff or seize.
Severe overheating also creates
tremendous thermal stress in the
head(s) and block. This, in turn, may
lead to cracking and/or warpage.
This is a common problem with
overhead cam engines that have
aluminum heads.
To avoid being stranded on the
road, Gates Corporation engineers
recommend that car owners have
their engine’s cooling system
inspected in the spring, before the
summer driving season.
Gates says the coolant should be
checked for the proper level, the
water pump should be inspected for
leaks, and the upper and lower
radiator hose should be examined
for deterioration such as soft spots,
and cover and tube cracks.
Regardless of the age of the
vehicle, Gates engineers say coolant
hoses should be replaced every four
years.
Chart an RV adventure this vacation season
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