Are you ready to hit the road this Summer? Is your car, truck, van or SUV ready for that road trip up along the North Shore, into the Upper Peninsula or down to the Twin Cities? Benna Ford and their award-winning service department wants to make sure your car is ready for the summer ahead. We have a few things for you to look at before hitting the road.

Is My Car on Recall? This has been a situation that has been in the forefront of the news. Sometime during the run-up to summer, your car may have been recalled. There is a way to check to see if it has been on recall, by going to the Ford Owners website at https://owner.ford.com/tools/account/maintenance/recalls.html. All you need is your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to plug in to find out. Benna Ford's service department will assist on making sure the Recall work is done per the manufacturer's obligation.

Check the Tires! Where the rubber meets the road is the most critical part to look at before heading on a trip. Make sure to check the air pressure of each tire to match the requirements of your vehicle. That information should be found inside of the driver's doorframe. Make sure the spare is also properly inflated. Check for tread wear, including any excessive or irregular wear. If you find that the tread is down to 1/16 of an inch, replace those tires! Plus, see about an alignment if you find that the tires are not wearing properly. If it's time to replace your tires, or it's been more than two years since you had an alignment on your vehicle, schedule your appointment with our service department today.

How About Those Other Rubber-Made Parts? Rubber contracts and expands all year round. This is the time to inspect the belts, hoses and wiper blades for blisters, cracks or cuts. If there are any problems, replace them! Make sure the hose connections are secure, as well!

Get Plenty of Fluids! In our climate, it is critical to make sure that the cooling system has more than enough fluid inside of the reservoir. No one wants to overheat when the temperatures are high. Also, check the oil, automatic transmission, brake, power steering and windshield washer fluid levels. They might need to be topped off, too!

Are the Lights OK? See if all of the lights work - front, back and all the way around. Of not, it is time for a bulb replacement and/or a fuse check.

Stay Cool! Now is the time to check the air conditioning unit. If it is working, you are fine. If not, have it checked out to make sure it is working properly. In our climate, running cool is the best way to go!

Once you go through all of these steps, you are ready to take on the road. But, if you happen need a hand to get your vehicle ready to go this summer, contact our service and parts departments at Benna Ford. Let us get you on the road and on to your next adventure.