for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com JUNE 26, 2014 • SUMMER FUN • The Queens Courier 63 summer fun s fast fixes for a summer ready car With summer-just around the corner, it’s time to get-your car-in tip-top shape to withstand hot days and long road trips. Summer driving requires your car to run differently; some adjustments and inspections are important to ensure your vehicle lasts season to season. Follow these five fast fixes and inspections to cruise through the summer and avoid roadside headaches. Tire care Tires perform differently in different weather conditions, so as the weather changes, it’s important to check tire pressure and tire tread. To check tire tread, see if the built-in “wear bars” are visible. These are narrow strips of rubber across the tires that appear when the tread is worn down to one-sixteenth of an inch. If you can see wear bars, your tires need to be replaced. De-winterize your car De-winterizing your car is easy and affordable. First, check all the fluid levels - coolant, transmission, differential, power steering and brake fluid - to make sure there aren’t any leaks. It’s also a good idea to change the oil between seasons, as oil gets thick and collects condensation if it sits in the engine all winter. It’s also important to thoroughly clean the-undercarriage-of your car after a long winter, especially if you live in a snowy climate. To avoid spending extra money on detailing, clean the undercarriage yourself using a basic water hose or highpressure cleaning system. In just a few minutes, you can ensure your vehicle is ready for the new road conditions and help you avoid any unnecessary issues. Paint protection Winter can be tough on a car’s exterior and sunshine will reveal every nick, chip and scratch in your vehicle’s paint. Restoring your ride’s original factory finish takes only minutes with touch-up paint products. Check the AC Your air conditioning system will be working overtime in the summer, so take time to test it to make sure it’s working properly sooner, rather than later. Since the vehicle’s refrigerant is under high pressure and harmful to the atmosphere, it’s best to leave any inspection or maintenance to a qualified professional. Mechanics can easily trap and recycle used refrigerant with the proper tools, and you can drive off with confidence you’ll stay cool all summer. Inspect hoses and belts The key to comfortable, safe summer driving is keeping the engine cool, and hoses and belts play a huge part in helping your engine run properly. Hoses pump coolant to and from the engine block, and belts run the fan that cools the system further. If the hoses crack or the belts snap, the radiator will quickly overheat, leaving you stranded. Check hoses for cracks, leaks and loose connections. Hoses should be firm, never soft and malleable, and belts can be visually checked for damage. If anything is noticeably wrong, get it fixed immediately, before you’re stranded in the summer heat. Vehicles need updating and maintenance through the changing of the seasons, but a few easy steps can prevent a summer of unexpected issues and repairs. Start now on these preventative maintenance tips and you’ll be cruising smoothly all season long. Courtesy BPT creative outdoor activities for summer fun with kids Now that warmer weather has arrived, take craft time outdoors. Instead of sitting inside at the kitchen table with paper, crayons, glue bottles or water color paints, bring the color and creativity outside for some DIY fun. The entire family can get involved in projects that decorate the yard or inspire colorful game time. Invite the neighborhood kids over to join in the fun with these crafty outdoor projects: • Decorate the yard with colorful creations - Turn ordinary flower pots and other household items into vibrant, colorful creations with the Crayola Rainbow Paint Pour. To get the desired effect, pour the paint in rainbow order, one color on top of the other and watch it run down the sides into a unique pattern. Crayola Washable paint cleans up easily, and kids will love bringing rainbows of color to the yard. • Design colorful outdoor play clothes - Having fun outside is even more exciting in colorful play clothes. Set aside an afternoon to tie-dye T-shirts on the driveway. This fun craft is perfect to create for neighborhood teams and games, such as Capture the Flag. Once the dyeing is complete, let the T-shirts dry in the afternoon sun. Decorate the shirts with fabric pens for an extra personal touch. Kids will love being creative with their art, and everyone will cheer as the finished designs are revealed - each one similar, but the crayons in a beautiful pattern. Kids can also use also unique. water colors to create a unique background behind the • Set up an outdoor art zone - On warm summer crayon meltdown. days, kids can create their own drippy meltdown • Add decorations to the windows - Window and masterpieces and cool crayon creations with Crayola’s glass markers are a great way for kids to unleash their Meltdown Craft. To begin, kids choose their crayons creativity using household windows and mirrors as a and line them up as they like at the top of a canvas, canvas. Prepare for summer holidays and get-togethers poster board or even wood. Once the crayons are by encouraging kids to draw colorful designs that celebrate secured, using a hairdryer on low heat will start melting the occasion. For example, a custom firework show on the front windows is a great way to welcome guests and delight neighbors on the 4th of July. And the best part is the markers easily wipe clean, inspiring kids to create again and again. With these fun outdoor creative play activities, everyone in your family will enjoy spending time in the backyard and bringing color to the area. Courtesy BPT
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