Is your car, truck or SUV ready to run for the roses?

Kentucky Derby horses have more in common with Richmond automobiles than you might think

Horses running in the Kentucky Derby this

coming Saturday receive the finest care. Your
car, truck of SUV is running a different race,
so to speak. And if you want it to keep
running reliably, you want to give it the
finest automobile maintenance.

Look at those ponies run! Yes, even though this is a blog dedicated to maintaining automobiles, it’s timely to point out that horses will be running this coming Saturday, May 2. It’s a thrilling event to watch, even if you’re watching on your television in Richmond, and must be twice as exciting for those who are participating, whether a jockey, a trainer or an owner.

Of course, there are some similarities between horse racing and auto racing.

In auto racing, the amount of power produced by an engine is referred to as “horsepower.” No doubt, this is a reflection of how automotive engines were compared to horses in the infancy of the automotive age.

A Model A Ford engine was rated at 40 horsepower. In 2020, the average car in America was rated at 212 horsepower. On the other hand, a new Corvette is rated at 1,250 horsepower. That’s quite a few horses under the hood and that’s still a streetcar.

Whether a horse or an automobile, care and maintenance are critical

Another thing horses and automobiles have in common is the need for proper upkeep and care. If you don’t take care of a horse, it may get sick or develop other ailments. If you don’t take care of your car, truck or SUV, you can expect costly repairs in the near future. That’s especially true if you’re racing your horse or your automotive vehicle.

Horses require:

Regular health exams
Vaccinations
Dental care
A balanced diet
Protection from pests
Appropriate exercise
Development of trust between the horse and the rider
Regular grooming
Cool downs after running
Adjustments for the seasons

Automobiles require:

Oil and oil filter changes
Maintenance of fluids
Tire rotations and pressure checks
Testing of battery and alternator
Testing and replacement of filters, including the cabin filter
Checking belts and hoses
Inspection of steering, suspension and alignment
Inspection of exhaust system
Testing and maintenance of coolant/anti-freeze and thermostat
Checking lights and signals
Checking brakes
Periodic engine scan checks

Whether you’re racing your horse or automobile, fastidious adherence to these measures are essential. But they are no less essential if you’re pulling out of your Richmond driveway to hit the public roads and highways.

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