MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- No one wants to spend a
vacation stranded along side of the highway; a little preventive maintenance
can help you avoid a breakdown. These tips from AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) can help
you make sure your next trip is a safe one.
Inspect or replace your brakes.
Few things on your car are more important to your safety than the brakes.
Put off a brake job too long and it could cost you a new set of rotors -- or
worse, lead to an accident. That's why it's important to inspect or replace
all brake system components on a regular basis.
Changing your brake pads is a simple procedure, and inspecting your brakes
is even easier. Your local AutoZone parts professional can show you how, or
point you toward a reputable repair shop for help.
When you replace your brake pads, remember to replace your brake hardware
at the same time; it's an inexpensive way to make sure your pads will stop
your car as safely and quietly as possible. Don't forget to top off your
brake fluid, too.
Inspect or replace your shocks.
Although a new set of shocks or struts can do wonders for your ride
comfort, their more important function is ride control. A car with worn
shocks simply won't handle or stop like it should. In fact, worn shocks or
struts could increase your car's braking distance by 20 feet or more, and even
cause premature tire wear.
The first step of a shock inspection is to simply look under the car and
examine your shocks to see that they're not bent, broken, or leaking oil.
Also, check for split lubricant boots and seals and torn rubber grommets at
the mounting points. If any of these problems are present, replace the parts
at once.
Your car's shocks and struts are similar to the brakes, in that they work
together and wear out together. It's always a good idea to play it safe and
replace shocks and struts as a set. Don't forget about AutoZone's free Loan-
A-Tool(R) Service, where you can borrow from more than 60 different specialty
tools, including tools designed to help make a brake job or shock and strut
replacement easier.
Inspect your tires.
All tires should be properly inflated, including the spare. Refer to your
vehicle's manual or the sidewall of your tire for the proper pressure level.
Properly inflated tires increase gas mileage, lengthen tire life, and are less
susceptible to blowouts.
Tune up your car.
Squeezing more mileage from every tank of gas is never more important than
before a long trip. What's more, tuning up your car could save you hundreds
of dollars a year in gas! One of the easiest ways to improve your fuel
economy and performance is to replace worn out spark plugs, spark plug wires,
oxygen sensors, and air filter. Ask an AutoZoner for the specific maintenance
intervals for your vehicle.
Carry an emergency kit.
Even the best maintained cars could be subject to breakdowns. Make sure
you're prepared with a cell phone, a container of water, a flashlight with
extra batteries, flares or safety triangles, jumper cables, a fire
extinguisher, and a first-aid kit.
For more great ideas on how you can keep your family safe while you're on
the road, get to your local AutoZone today!
About AutoZone:
As of May 7, 2005, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals
and accessories through 3,505 AutoZone stores in 48 states plus the District
of Columbia in the U.S. and 73 AutoZone stores in Mexico and also sells the
ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software. On the web, AutoZone sells
diagnostic and repair information and auto and light truck parts
through http://www.autozone.com.
SOURCE AutoZone, Inc.
-0- 06/21/2005
/CONTACT: Media, Ray Pohlman, +1-901 495-7962, ray.pohlman@autozone.com ;
or Financial, Brian Campbell, +1-901-495-7005, brian.campbell@autozone.com ,
both of AutoZone/
/Web site: http://www.autozone.com /
(AZO)
CO: AutoZone, Inc.
ST: Tennessee
IN: AUT REA TRA
SU:
WB-PF
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1647 06/21/2005 16:05 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
