Top 10 Need-To-Know Tips For Summer Car Maintenance

There’s nothing like sunny skies and an open road on a hot summer day.  But, it’s still important to keep your car running in top condition. That’s why we’ve created this list of 10 summer maintenance tips.

1. The Feet of the Car: Check Your Tires

   An under or over-inflated, worn down or misaligned tire is extremely dangerous. As temperatures rise, tire pressure changes. Make sure you know what your tire pressure should be. You can check it with a hand pressure gauge or take your car to any local service shop.

2. The Blood of the Car: Check Oil and Oil Filter
   

   Oil to a car is like the blood to a human’s body. It’s what keeps the engine running. During the summer, an engine is more likely to overheat. Therefore, it’s important to check it regularly. To know how to check your oil, look here: http://cbsn.ws/2rYHmi9

3. Get Rid of Your Winter Coat: De-Winterize Your Car
   

   After a long, snowy winter, you need to prepare your car for the summer.  Here’s how:
   • Get rid of snowy tires–they are heavy and will lower your fuel economy
   • Check all fluid levels if you haven’t driven much in the winter
   • Clean the undercarriage of your car. The salt used to melt snow can begin to eat away at the metal

4. Tying Loose Ends: Check Hoses and Belts
   

   When driving in the summer, keep the engine cool. Check the hoses and belts for cracks, leaks, or loose connections. If there is any sort of damage, the radiator can overheat. Meaning, you could get stranded on a hot summer day.

5. Debris is in the Air: Change Your Air Filter
   

   An air filter can become clogged with debris, which can lower your fuel efficiency. For instance, The Auto Channel states that replacing a clogged air filter can improve your gas mileage as much as 10 percent.

6. Bye, Bye Old Wipers: Replace Windshield Wipers
   

   Summertime means summer rain. Make sure your wipers can get the job done and ensure visibility. Fun fact: When replacing a wiper blade, it’s better to replace the whole blade, not just the rubber part.

7. Need a Quick Stop? Check Your Brakes
   

   Brakes are the most important safety feature on your car…make sure they work! Get your brakes checked if:
   • The brake pedal becomes very soft and mushy
   • Your brake pedal is very hard and resistant
   • Warning lights on the dashboard
   • Scraping and grinding sounds from the brakes

8. A Cooler System: Check Your Coolant and Radiator
   

   Sitting in traffic on a hot summer day is one of the quickest ways to overheat your car. Keep it running at the optimal temperature by ensuring your cooling system works.

9. Car Won’t Start? Check your Battery
   

   Summer heat can speed up the chemical reaction inside a battery, shortening the lifespan. Therefore, keep the battery clean to keep it running smoothly.

10. Stay COOL: Maintain your Air Conditioning
    

    If your car can’t generate or maintain air temperatures that are 50 degrees Fahrenheit below the ambient outside air temperature, there’s a problem.  Sounds complicated, right?  If you feel your air isn’t working, make sure to go to your local service shop and get it checked out.  You need that air to stand these hot summer days.

Summer heat can be strong, but if you follow these 10 easy tips your car will be ready to take on any temperature!  Don’t let your car stop you from the sunny skies and an open road.