Vehicle MD - A Driver's Guide to Maintaining a Healthy Car

Make Your Car the Star of the Tailgate Party

by Tammy Neal
VehicleMD Staff Writer
Originally published in Fall 2011 Issue

I got my first taste of a college game day when I was a senior in high school. I was on a college visit with my parents to what would become my alma mater. It was a weekend in November that happened to host a football and basketball game. (I need to mention here that the university’s colors are orange and black.) We walked into a restaurant for breakfast, and my dad said, “Wow; it looks like hunting season in here!”

Yep, the entire restaurant—and, it seemed, the entire town—was wearing orange, and I had never seen that much orange in one place before.

I spent four years in that college town, and I can still remember the days when traffic was bumper-to-bumper on Highway 51. Everyone was coming in for the big game. Most cars were decked out with window paint or flags, and if you were lucky you might spot one of the tailgating party buses. And, it wasn’t only on football game days that the town exploded with orange-clad fans—they were out in full force for basketball games, baseball games and even wrestling matches, too!

Sports have etched a firm place in American culture, but hand-in-hand with sports, goes tailgating. When else can you walk though a parking lot, eat some killer barbeque, grab a cold drink and make new friends?

So it is our mission to help make your car the star of your next tailgate party.

Ready for the Road
Unless you’re lucky enough to live in the hometown of your favorite sports team, you’ll probably be driving tens, hundreds or—dare I say—thousands of miles to watch a home game. Although it’s tempting to only think about seeing old friends, what you’re going to grill and how much body paint you’ll need, don’t forget about vehicle maintenance. Here are a few items to check before you hit the road.

Oil level: Oil is the lifeblood of your engine and protects it much like a left tackle protects the quarterback’s blind side.

To check the oil level, the first thing you want to do is let your car run for about five minutes, and then let it sit for another minute to let the oil drain back into the pan—this way you get an accurate reading. Now, simply locate the dipstick under your hood, pull it out, wipe it off, and then stick it back in the tube. Now when you pull it out, look at where the oil level is: if it’s between the “safe” and “low” marks on the dipstick, you’re okay. However, if the oil is below the low mark or looks dirty, you’ll want to stop by for an oil change before you head to the game.

Coolant: Think of coolant as the water boy for your car. It keeps everything from overheating, but should not be taken for granted.

To check your coolant level, look for a transparent tank under the hood filled with a brightly colored liquid, most likely an orange, yellow, green or red one—but you’ll want to check the cap to confirm. Once you find it, locate the “full” and “low” marks. If the coolant, when warm, is between these, you’re safe. If it’s low, it’s time to head to your service center to have them a) determine if your vehicle is a candidate for a coolant flush or b) top-off your coolant tank.

Remember, cooling system failure is the number-one cause of roadside breakdowns—definitely something you don’t want to happen on game day.

Wiper Blades: Have you sat through a game when it was pouring down rain outside? Chances are the answer is yes. So don’t forget to check your wiper blades. Fresh wiper blades will help keep your vision clear and keep you safe on the road during downpours.

If your wipers are cracked, brittle, chattering or smearing, it’s probably time for new ones. Most experts recommend replacing them twice a year.

Tire Tread: While a blowout is a good thing at a sporting event (if your team wins, of course), it is not good if it happens while you’re driving. To help ward off a tire blowout, check your tire tread before the trip.

To do this, take a regular penny and flip it so Lincoln’s head is pointed down. Next, stick it between the grooves on your tire. If you can see daylight between the bottom of Lincoln’s head and your tread that means your tire is on its last leg. It may be time to swing by the tire shop and get a couple of new tires before you embark on your game-day journey.

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