After what was a long winter for many across the United States, summertime is finally here! Is your car ready for summer? Did you even know that you should “summer-ize” your car? Here are some summer car care tips that you should implement to ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly all summer long.
Check Your Fluids
Your car’s engine is more susceptible to overheating during the summertime. Make sure that your vehicle’s coolant is topped off to the correct level. When checking coolant levels, remember not to unscrew the radiator cap when your car’s engine is hot, or you could get burned.
Also important in the summer time, you should confirm that all of your car’s fluids are all at the correct levels. This includes brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, motor oil and wiper fluid. If your car’s fluid levels run too low, your car’s engine can overheat quickly in the summer months.
Check Your Battery
Most drivers imagine having car battery problems in the winter months, but this unpleasant situation can also happen in the summer. There are some things that you can do to minimize your risks of battery failure. Determine that the battery is securely mounted to your car. Clean any corrosive buildup from the terminals and clamps of the battery. Make sure the battery’s clamps are tight. If your battery is over three years old, you should have it checked by a trained mechanic to see how much life is left in it.
Check Your Tires
Your tires will undergo wear and tear in the summertime and could even blow out during high temperatures if not maintained properly. Ensure that they are inflated correctly by checking the tire pressure once a month during the summer. Ideally, check your tire pressure when the tires are cold and haven’t been driven on recently. Make sure to follow your owner’s manual’s recommendations about how much to inflate your tire pressure. You can also use the sticker located on your car’s driver door jamb to find this information.
Check Your Air Conditioning
Before summertime driving, you must check that your car’s air conditioning system is in tip-top condition and ready for use. Have your vehicle’s air conditioning system checked by a trained technician to make sure the refrigerant levels are correct. You might also need your car’s cabin air filter replaced to keep air flowing throughout your vehicle and maintain a comfortable temperature for you and your car’s passengers.
Check Your Emergency Kit
Even if you have completed all of the preparation necessary for summer driving, emergencies do still happen. Keep an emergency kit in your car’s trunk. It should contain jumper cables, a flashlight and batteries, emergency beacon or road flares, a first aid kit, a blanket, and water and food that is non-perishable.
Maintaining your car in the summertime is necessary to keep it running smoothly. Complete these simple preparations and your car will be ready for a busy summer of driving!