Summer Car Care Tips
Extreme summer weather can take a toll on your car’s most important systems. If any of your car’s important systems go out, it can take a big chunk out of your budget.
Stay ahead of your car’s costly repair bills by doing a little summer car care. We came up with this list to help you mark off summer car care off your to-do list and enjoy the rest of spring and summer.
Here are eight tips that will help make your summertime travel safer and help you enjoy your vacation and summer.
1. Check your car’s tire pressure and rotate the tires if needed. It is important to keep your tires properly inflated to avoid tire blow-outs. In the summer as the outside temperature rise, the air inside your car’s tires expands. Be sure to check the tire pressure label that is usually located in the doorjamb or glove compartment. If you can’t find the label, check your car’s owner’s manual. Also, check to see if you need to have your tire’s rotated. Rotating your tires can help extend the life of your tires.
2. Change your car’s windshield wipers. Windshield wipers wear out and you probably won’t realize it until you are driving in the rain. Worn windshield wipers will cause streaks across the windshield and impair your ability to see while driving. Some people change their windshield wipers themselves. If you are not comfortable changing your car’s windshield wipers, have them changed when you take your car in for an oil change.
3. Did you know that you can check some of the fluids in your car yourself? Yes, you can regularly check your car’s coolant, motor oil, and windshield fluid without taking into the shop to have it checked. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for instructions on how to check them. One thing to remember: never, ever open the radiator cap or coolant tank lid when your car is hot!
4. Who wants to take a trip on long hot summer days without the inside of the car cool? Keeping the inside of the car cool helps keep everyone comfortable and also reduces driver fatigue. Before you go on your summer trip, take your car to the mechanic and have your car’s air conditioning system checked to see if it needs coolant added and for any possible leaks in the air conditioning system. It would be better to have it checked now than to have it possibly stop working while on a trip.
5. Have the oil changed in your car especially if you are getting ready to go on a long road trip. This is probably already part of your regular car maintenance schedule. I wanted to remind you because who wants to worry about getting your oil changed while you are out on a road trip vacation. Check the sticker that is usually placed on your windshield after every oil change to see when your next oil change is due. If you don’t have a sticker and you are not sure if it is time to get your oil changed, check with your dealer or mechanic.
6. Your braking system’s temperature goes up with the hot weather. Before going on a summer trip, have your brakes checked to see how worn they are and replace them if necessary. Also, have your brake fluid checked to make sure it is not getting low. It is much better to take preventive measures than to have your brakes go out while traveling on vacation.
7. Check your car’s air filter. If it is dirty, replace it with a new one. Also, newer cars may have a pollen filter or cabin filtration system. Be sure to check these also. If you are not sure how to do that, take it to the mechanic or dealership to have it checked.
8. Prepare an emergency kit for your car that includes the following:
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First-aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Mobile phone and car charger
- Windshield washer fluid
- Bottled water
- Snacks for people and pets
- Emergency flares or reflectors
- Tire pressure gauge
- Basic toolkit. Make sure it has an adjustable wrench.
These are just some summer car care tips to help you with getting your car ready for summer travel. Most of these tips are standard auto care. Knowing that you have taken steps to take care of your car will allow for a much more enjoyable vacation or weekend trip.
What are some ways that you get your car ready for summer travel? Leave us a comment and let us know. We would love to hear from you.