From Headlights to Taillights: Preparing for Summer Travel

By Mark Kozemko ’79, Johnson College’s Automotive Technology Program Director

Original published in the July 23, 2021 edition of the Valley Advantage.

https://www.thevalleyadvantage.com/community-columns/from-headlights-to-taillights-preparing-for-summer-travel/article_ada5ef18-e4fa-5a89-ba64-d81265ceadf6.html

Last month, we answered questions about what items to pack into a car care survival kit you’d take with you on a drive-away vacation. According to the response we received, it looks like you still have a few questions about getting your vehicle ready for summer travel. This month, we’ll cover some of the more specific questions we received over the past few weeks. Let’s get started.

Our first question is, “I don’t travel except for our annual vacation to the shore. Over the past three vacations, we used the same vehicle. Why is my fuel mileage different every year?”

There are several reasons your fuel mileage varies from year to year with the same vehicle.

First, I hope you’re performing a pre-travel inspection on your vehicle, including tire condition and air pressure, oil condition and level, transmission fluid condition and status and more.

If you are not performing that inspection, I highly recommend you do. Improper tire pressure alone can reduce fuel mileage significantly. Old or incorrect engine oil can lose its ability to lubricate correctly, causing the engine to work harder and use more fuel. The same goes for transmission fluid. If the transmission is not shifting correctly, your fuel mileage may decrease. The bottom line is, make sure all your fluids are up to par before you travel.

Second, road conditions can factor in your vehicle’s ability to get the most miles from a gallon of fuel. The friction between the road surface and the tire can cause unnecessary drag and make the engine work harder. The constant stopping and starting in construction areas also factors into decreased fuel mileage.

Third, driving habits are a huge factor in getting good to excellent fuel mileage. The more you follow posted speed limits and start from a stop, smoothly, you will see an increase in your fuel mileage.

For example, I recently purchased a new truck — used, but new to me. It has an eight-cylinder engine, as did my old truck, but slightly bigger. My old truck got a whopping 11-12 miles per gallon with my driving habits. With the same driving habits, mostly highway driving, the new truck consistently gets about 3-4 mpg better. When I drive to and from work, 20 miles each way, through the small cities and towns, follow speed limits and don’t push my engine to outperform itself, the truck is getting just under 20 mpg, which is a lot better than the 11-12 mpg I was getting with my old truck.

If you are a seasoned driver, you may ask yourself, isn’t highway mileage supposed to be more than city mileage? It’s written on vehicle window stickers that way. The fact is, newer models have engine and transmission options designed to, if driven correctly, increase fuel mileage.

“Why does my air conditioning cut out when I accelerate?” is our second question.

More than likely, this issue is a cracked or broken vacuum line to your heating, ventilation and air conditioning control unit. If you pay close attention when your air conditioning cuts out, you’ll notice it doesn’t really cut out. The airflow changes direction. It may be redirected to the floor or defroster vents.

This redirection happens because when you accelerate, you decrease the vacuum that your engine creates. When you reach cruising speed, or let up a bit on the accelerator pedal, you’ll probably notice the airflow returns to the dashboard vents.

You can self-diagnose this issue if you’re a Mr. or Ms. Fix It, or, you can have your repair garage look into it. Newer vehicles have electronic controls that virtually eliminate this issue. Of course, other things can go wrong in these systems, so keep your eyes on them.

Our third and last question of the month is “How do I know the correct tire pressure for my vehicle?”

Usually, the manufacturer puts a sticker in the driver’s door jamb that indicates the correct tire pressure. If you don’t see it there, it may be stuck to the fuel door or in the fuel filler neck area. If a tire pressure sticker is not on your vehicle, the best thing to do is to google the make and model of your vehicle to find out proper tire pressure. Whatever you do, DO NOT fill to the maximum pressure found on the tire itself. It is not the correct operating pressure and may cause a dangerous situation. Go by what is listed on the sticker, not the tire itself.

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer. Drive sensibly and stay safe.

Now Enrolling Students from Wayne, Pike and Susquehanna Counties into Free Distance Learning Program

Johnson College is now enrolling students for its new free Distance Learning Program. This remote education program for high school and adult students in the rural areas of Wayne, Pike, and Susquehanna counties launches on August 30, 2021.  It creates a direct route for students to complete any of Johnson College’s 15 academic programs and ultimately a fulfilling career with family-sustaining wages while staying in their communities. To learn more about this program or to register for courses listed below, please visit Johnson.edu/usda-registration or email the Johnson College enrollment team at enroll@johnson.edu.

Students will have interactive, two-way access to Johnson College faculty and participate in remote education, discussions, testing, and skill demonstrations via high-tech telecommunications equipment in classrooms at Forest City Regional High School, Honesdale High School, Wallenpaupack Area High School, and Western Wayne High School. In addition, Lakeville Library, Newfoundland Library, and Pleasant Mount Library will be equipped with laptops to give community residents access to career exploration services and information about courses at Johnson College. 

In addition to the distance learning opportunity this program provides, students will have access to Johnson College’s full array of on-campus support services including tutoring, counseling, career services, financial aid, internship opportunities, and exposure to industry from day one. Distance learning will help high school and adult students reach their full potential and connect with the region’s essential careers already in demand.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program. 

Courses available through Honesdale High School

ART 101-1-Blueprint Reading for Welders – Wednesdays and Fridays, 4 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.

MAT 100-1- Math for Welders – Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

BTT 149-4 – Construction Safety – Mondays, 5 p.m. – 6:50 p.m.

MAT 123-1 – Math for Carpenters – Thursdays, 4 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.

ART 110-4 – Contract Drawings – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Courses available through Wallenpaupack Area High School

CIT 181 – 1 – Computer Hardware and Operating System – Online, available anytime

CIT 182 – 2 – Computer Hardware and Operating System Lab – Thursdays, 7 p.m. – 8:50 p.m.

CIT 183 – 1 – Network Architectures, Principles, and Protocols – Online, available anytime

CIT 184 – 3 – Network Architectures, Principles, and Protocols Lab – Wednesdays, 6 p.m. – 7:50 p.m.

PRG 101 – 2 – Programming for the Enterprise – Wednesdays, 3 p.m. – 5:50 p.m. 

Courses available through Western Wayne High School

VMR 151-2 – Introduction to Vehicle Maintenance – Wednesdays, 5 p.m. – 5:50 p.m. 

VMR 153-2 – Brake Systems – Tuesdays, 5 p.m. – 6:50 p.m.

VMR 154-3 – Brake Systems Lab – Tuesdays, 7 p.m. – 8:50 p.m.

VMR 155-3 – Steering & Suspensions – Thursdays, 5 p.m. – 6:50 p.m. 

VMR 156-3 – Steering & Suspensions Lab – Thursdays, 7 p.m. – 8:50 p.m.  

Courses available through Forest City Regional High School

ART 110-4 – Contract Drawings – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

ADT 151-1 – Introduction to CAD – Online, available anytime 

ADT-152-2 – Introduction to CAD Lab – M-F, 11 a.m. – 12:06 p.m.

BUS 101-4 – Introduction to Business – Mondays, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Enroll Now in Fundamentals of Welding Class

Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program is currently enrolling students in its next Fundamentals of Welding class, scheduled for September on its campus in Scranton. Space is very limited.

Students will learn the basics of the major welding processes. After fundamentals, students can enroll in an intermediate class in either Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG), or Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG). Each of these classes works toward plate certification to a common welding code.

To learn more or enroll contact the Johnson College Continuing Education department at 570-702-8979, email continuinged@johnson.edu, or visit https://johnson.edu/continuingeducation/.

Next Pennsylvania State Vehicle Safety Inspectors Course Starts August 24

Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program will be holding a Pennsylvania State Vehicle Safety Inspectors course on campus on August 24, 26, 31, and September 2, 2021, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Space is limited. The total cost of the course is $200 for cars and light trucks. There is an additional $75 fee for other vehicle categories. To learn more or enroll, visit johnson.edu/continuingeducation or contact the Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu. 

The Pennsylvania State Vehicle Safety Inspection course requirements include 12 classroom hours, a written test, and a two-hour tactile test scheduled independently with the instructor. Students must complete all requirements before receiving certification from PennDOT. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis according to the date of payment. Class size is limited to 20 students, so participants are encouraged to register early. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid operator’s license for each class of vehicle they intend to inspect. Classes will be held in the Automotive Center of the Weaver Building on the Johnson College campus.

Innovation and Creation Camp for 7th, 8th, and 9th Grade Future Inventors

Johnson College offers a 1-week Innovation and Creation Camp for 7th, 8th, and 9th-grade students from Monday, August 16, 2021, to Friday, August 20, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the Johnson College campus in Scranton, PA. The cost of the camp is $50 per student, and space is limited.

Students will utilize problem-solving and critical thinking skills while learning about the latest robotics and STEM technologies. They will start camp as a passive user of technology but finish as experienced inventors.

For more information and to register, email Tim Frank, Academic Program Specialist at Johnson College, at tfrank@johnson.edu.

Now Offering Professional Automotive and College Experience Program to High School Students Enrolled in OVR

Johnson College is offering an Automotive industry-driven career exploration experience to high school students enrolled in the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). This program will be held from July 26 through August 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Johnson College campus and industry partner locations. Students will have an opportunity to dive into a college experience and develop skills to prepare them for success on and off a college campus. They will also receive exposure to the automotive industry through a paid internship program.  

The second week of the program will run from 9 a.m. to noon and will take place at different industry partner locations allow students to shadow local automotive industries and gain first-hand knowledge and experience.

For more information and to register, email Tim Frank, Academic Program Specialist at Johnson College, at tfrank@johnson.edu. This event is free for students enrolled in the OVR program.

Now Offering Immersive College Experience Program to Office of Vocational Rehabilitation High School Students

Johnson College is offering an Immersive College Experience to high school students enrolled in the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). This program will be held from July 26 through July 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Johnson College campus. Students will gain knowledge about the college application process, financial aid, how to succeed on and off a college campus, and will participate in STEM activities.

The interactive STEM activities will provide a learning experience that fosters creativity while teaching invaluable technical skills. They will include an introduction to programming, robotics, coding, and other aspects of STEM.

For more information and to register, email Tim Frank, Academic Program Specialist at Johnson College at tfrank@johnson.edu. This event is free for students enrolled in the OVR program.