Car Care

A quick driveway inspection before hitting the road will help ensure a hassle-free Labor Day weekend, according to the Car Care Council.

"With these four easy steps, motorists can identify how road-ready their vehicle is right in their own driveway and, if repairs or maintenance are needed, they can be performed before leaving home," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

• Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
• Check the hoses and belts that can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.
• Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
• Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and inspect and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

A growing number of iPhone apps are helping drivers keep better track of service and maintenance records for their cars, according to Edmunds.com.

"These new smartphone apps are offering a convenient alternative to the clutter of oil-stained paperwork that drivers packed into their gloveboxes for so many years," says Doug Newcomb, senior technology editor at Edmunds.com. "Not only do the apps keep users on top of their maintenance schedules, but they also keep tabs on operating costs, which helps car owners manage their automotive budgets more effectively."

Edmunds.com tested and recommended four of these inexpensive apps, which range in price from 99 cents to $2.99:

Car Minder Plus ($2.99) – This app stands out by featuring all the essentials, including logging repairs, tracking fuel economy and keeping the maintenance records of multiple vehicles.

Car Care ($2.99) – The most impressive aspect of this app is "Vehicle Stats," which gives comprehensive data including average and total fuel costs, fuel economy, service costs per mile and even the user’s carbon footprint

Car Maintenance]($1.99) – The app consists of bare-bones iPhone list menus, so there's essentially no learning curve. Enter the vehicle info: make, model, year, license, VIN and mileage and you're on your way. Read more