While you’ll always be reminded to ‘winterize’ your vehicle for the cold winter months, have you ever been told to get your vehicle ready for the warmer months in the spring and summer? Preparing our cars for the upcoming season is something that many people often forget to do. Now that the temps are rising, here’s a list of ways to prepare your car for hot weather.
Tips for Preparing Car for Summer
When the Rubber Meets the Road
Time to check or replace your tires. Under-inflated tires not only affects the handling and braking of a vehicle, but it can also cause tires to overheat which can increase the chances of a blowout, especially when road temperatures are extremely high. Recommended tire pressure for your tires can be found in the owner’s manual or on that little sticker normally located on the driver’s door.
Keep Your Cool
When the summer heat gets extreme, a properly operating air conditioning system becomes more than just a convenience. When a car’s air conditioning is not keeping the interior temperature cool, it could mean that the refrigerant level is low. Anytime this happens, have the air conditioning system checked by a certified technician.
Get Plenty of Fluids
Engine fluids are what keeps a vehicle running smoothly. While most fluids help to lubricate your vehicle’s running components, they also serve as a coolant for your engine. When fluid levels are low, the chance for overheating increases. To get summer ready for the road, check all of the vehicle fluids including motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid.
Heat Stroke For Batteries
Summer heat can impact your car’s battery even worse than in the bitter cold of winter. Both heat and vibration will lead to internal breakdown and eventual failure, which is a battery’s two worst enemies. Although you cannot do much about the heat, you can make sure your battery is secured and mounted in the proper place to minimize vibration.
Don’t Exhaust Your Engine
Engines have to work extra hard in the summer. It is the responsibility of the cooling system to protect the engine from overheating. Additives included in the coolant help protect the radiator and internal engine components against corrosion. The odds of engine damage will definitely increase without the proper cooling system maintenance.
Always check the owner’s manual or your vehicle’s maintenance booklet to determine the appropriate service intervals for the various parts of your car. Have a great summer!