Summer's high temperatures can take their toll on everyone, including your vehicle and may present some challenges to transportation and maintenance! Extreme heat can push a car past it's limits and can lead some drivers requiring vehicle maintenance or worse, stranded on the side of the road. Make sure your vehicle is ready to handle some sun-drenched driving, high temperatures, dirt and dust, and heavy rainstorms! These tips can help you prepare and maintain your vehicle throughout the summer months.
#1. Keep Your Engine Cool
Keeping cool during the summer is not only paramount for ourselves but also for your vehicle. The cooling systems in your vehicle protects your engine from overheating and should be flushed periodically as recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer. Between system flushes it's important to make sure coolant is filled to the appropriate level by checking the overflow reservoir. Be careful to never remove the radiator cap when when the engine is hot because boiling coolant under pressure could cause serious burns! Rubber coolant system components are also susceptible to heat-related deterioration so it's important to periodically inspect hoses and drive belts for cracking, soft spots or other signs of poor condition. Keep an eye out for leaks especially at joints and connection points, where the hose connects to the engine block.
#2. Check the AC and Air Filter
Air conditioning is a summer essential! It's best to keep your air conditioning at a low and steady level instead of blasting it for short periods of time and then turning it off. Using your air conditioning efficiently both improves your fuel economy and keeps your car in top shape! If your vehicle's blowing hot air you may need a charge of Freon available from the auto parts store. If that doesn't do the trick a certified technician may be able to get to the bottom of the problem! Winter's decomposing leaves could clog up your vehicle's air filter and with the warmer months here now might be a good time to buy a new filter or clean the old one out. Many vehicles nowadays have pollen filters or cabin filtration systems which might be something worth looking into! Most of the time cabin filters are easy to change by yourself but when in doubt call a qualified technician.
#3. Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
Between hitting hidden potholes and dealing with difficult winter road conditions, your tires deserve a good check up. Tires lose and gain pressure depending on the outside temperature. Summer weather makes the air inside your tires expand, putting them at greater risk for a blowout especially when road temperatures are extremely high. Driving your vehicle with low tire pressure also tends to wear tires out much quicker. Make sure to check your tire pressure at least once a month as tires typically lose about one pound of pressure per month normally. The amount of pressure a tire requires depends on the type of tire and vehicle. You can find the optimum air pressure printed on either the door jam, the side-wall of your tires or in your owner's manual. Don't forget about your vehicles spare tire, it's important to make sure it's properly inflated and available for use in case of emergency!
#4. Double Check Your Fluid Levels
Seasonal weather changes can lead to low vehicle fluids. Coolant fluid, in particular is especially important to monitor through the heat of the summer! Most engine fluids lubricate and act as coolants to help carry heat away from critical components. When fluid levels are low, the cooling effect provided is reduced and increases the possibility of overheating. It's important to monitor all vehicle fluids including motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid to ensure they remain at appropriate levels. Be sure to use the type of fluid specified for your vehicle in the owners manual if any fluids need to be topped off! A certified technician can also help to ensure your cooling system is ready for the heat.
#5. Mind The Suspension
Cold and rough winters make for some mean potholes, dips and bumps in the summer which could be bad news for your suspension. As soon as a vehicles suspension components start to wear out a vehicle's steering starts to get sloppy. Some sure tell signs for potential damage or a need for an adjustment are a misaligned steering wheel, steering wheel vibrations, and your vehicle pulling you to one side of the road. A proper alignment can help extend the life of your tires and make for a smoother ride. Replacing a vehicles worn shocks, springs and joints also keeps your steering more alert and gives you more control while driving.
#6. Be Prepared For Summer Breakdowns
While vehicle breakdowns are not completely avoidable, maintaining and inspecting your vehicle are preventative measures you can take to keep your car in tip top shape through seasonal changes and year round. Maintaining your vehicle to prepare and get through the summer months is relatively simple and can be done yourself! However if you need assistance gearing your vehicle up for summer, The Lia Auto Group offers twenty two locations to conveniently service your vehicle across New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. To schedule your auto maintenance and repair needs with Lia click here. We're ready to assist you with all your vehicle needs. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter!
