Key Areas in Your Summer Car Maintenance Plan

June 22, 2016

You’re not the only one who is happy that the stress of winter driving is over. Give your car some special care this summer., as this  weather often brings its own set of challenges to  your vehicle. Building a summer car maintenance plan will keep your car in top shape and give you the freedom to get the most out of the warm weather. Listed below are some of the key areas for summer car maintenance:

Tires

If you still have winter tires on then it’s time for them to go. Replace them with either all season tires or summer tires for high performance vehicles. Check your tires for wear and tear, particularly if you have used your all season tires throughout the winter.

Hot roads accelerate the weakening of your tires, and the heat causes tire pressure to increase. So regularly checking your tire pressure is key to your summer car maintenance. Proper tire inflation extends the life of your tires and keeps your car handling smoothly.

Paint

Washing and waxing your car doesn’t just keep it looking good. It can actually save you from potential major costs. Dirt and dust scratch your car’s top coat of paint, the coat that protects the paint from peeling in the sun – which can damage your car’s structure by leaving it susceptible to rust.

Air Conditioning and Cooling Systems

Summer is hot. Clearly a lot of summer car maintenance is about dealing with this fact. Better to have your air conditioning checked out rather than realize it’s broken on a sweltering, traffic heavy summer’s day.

Weak air conditioning might also be more serious than you think. The belt that powers your A/C also powers other parts of your engine and prevents overheating. Overheating can be the cause of  many summer breakdowns, but having your technician check your air and cooling system will keep you and your vehicle cruising efficiently and at a comfortable temperature.

Windshield Wipers

Your summer car maintenance needs to prepare your vehicle for everything that summer weather can throw at it. No one wants to be caught in a torrential summer thunderstorm with inadequate windshield wipers. Especially at night when your visibility can be reduced to fifteen or twenty feet.

You will know that your wipers need replacing if they leave visible streaks or need multiple passes to clear away light rain. Get expert advice on what type of wipers to choose and to install them. It can be a tricky process. For the best results replace the whole blade, not just the rubber.

Emergency Kit

Summer is a time for travel and adventure. Maintaining your car is a perfect opportunity to prepare yourself for those adventures. Every car should have basic safety supplies, but if you are planning a long trip be sure to pack an emergency kit with the following items:

• Water (for you and your radiator)
• Food. A few energy bars to keep you going should you become stranded
• Basic tools like a screwdriver and wrenches
• Emergency flares
• Blanket
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Jumper cables

Checking these areas as part of your summer car maintenance routine will help prepare you and your car for any adventure your summer holds. Happy driving!