Spring is the perfect time to get your vehicle ready for the active summer driving season ahead. It's sensible to have your vehicle tested before summer's extreme vacation traffic and stop-and-go conditions begin earnestly.

The specialists at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence recommend the following tips on getting your vehicle ready:

* Look at the owner's handbook and follow the recommended service schedules. Pay attention to "regular" vs. "severe" schedules planned, and find out which is appropriate for your driving conditions and routine.

* Look for a methodical repair facility with modern equipment in the service bays and certified automotive technicians being workers, as evidenced by trade school qualifications, credentials of advanced course work and training, as well as national certification of the individual technicians by ASE.

* Cleanse and replenish the cooling system (radiator) as indicated in the service manual's recommendations. The level, state and intensity of the coolant should be checked regularly. Make sure the engine has cooled down before removing the radiator cap. Engine overheating is the most recurrent summer breakdown.

* Have engine performance conditions corrected, such as hard starts, rough idling and stalling. You'll get better gasoline mileage, and you could put off more expensive repairs.

* Don't overlook your transmission and brakes. Costly repairs can be prevented by periodic service. Neglected brakes can give rise to safety issues, too.

* Seek out a qualified auto technician to check the condition of belts, clamps and hoses, but be precautionary by looking for signs of wear, cracking or fraying.

* Have a marginally operating air conditioner system repaired by a technician qualified to deal with refrigerants. Older units often contain ozone-depleting compounds that could be let out into the air because of inappropriate or incompetent service.

* Change the oil and oil filter as indicated in the owner's manual. This straightforward, inexpensive service can increase the life of your vehicle.

* Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV) as recommended in the service manual.

* Verify the condition of tires, including the spare. Let the tires "cool down" prior to checking their pressure. Uneven wear, "cupping", vibrations or "pulling" to one side implies troubles with your tires or suspension system.

* Exchange your headlights with some good quality aftermarket headlights. Good custom headlights or even just a nice new set of H11 bulbs for your standard lights will make a vast difference when you're traveling at night. Very rarely do you realize how dim your headlights are until you upgrade. It is likely that the winter road grim has spoiled your lenses to the point where they actually need to be replaced.

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