A Guide to Summer Vehicle Care

Summer’s here and your car’s heater is taking a much-needed break while your A/C does the heavy lifting.

This season of sunburn and sandy toes can take a serious toll on your vehicle. It needs a little TLC to keep it running at its optimum level.

Some of these tasks are easily DIY, but many are best done by a trusted mechanic.

DIY care

Here’s what you can do to maintain your car during the summer.

• 1.Check the oil and other fluids

  Lubrication reduces friction under the hood which staves off an overheated engine. Guess what? When the temps outside rise, your car needs to stay well lubricated to avoid getting too hot. Your vehicle owner’s manual will let you know how often you need to have your oil changed, but in the meantime, make sure the level is where it should be.

  It’s a good idea to check all the fluids periodically throughout the summer because heat causes liquids to evaporate.

• 2. Kick the tires

  You don’t actually have to kick your tires, but give them an inspection. The fluctuations in outside temperature can cause your tire’s air pressure to fluctuate too. You’ll want to make sure they’re properly inflated. The recommended PSI level will be in your owner’s manual.

  After you’ve taken care of the air situation, check for general wear and tear. The heat of the roads in summer can weaken tires faster than you think. Look for any holes, gaps, or warps and make sure the treads look good.

  If you notice any issues or anything that looks questionable, have your mechanic take a look to make sure you’re not dealing with a big problem.

Professional maintenance

Let’s look at the maintenance tasks that are best left to your mechanic.

• 1. Inspect the radiator

  A clogged radiator can cause major problems. A professional can flush the coolant system if it’s necessary. They’ll also be able to find any other damage or leaks that could lead to an overheated engine.

• 2. Check the battery

  Did you know that hot temperatures can cause battery fluid to evaporate? This can lead to corrosion. If you haven’t had the battery checked since the season’s changed, have your mechanic give it a test.

• 3. Do an A/C test

  Nothing’s worse than getting into your stuffy car and turning the air conditioner on and being met with warm air.

  It’s best to have your A/C inspected before summer starts, but any time during the summer is better than never! It’s especially important that you have it looked at if it seems weak or not putting out air the way it should. A belt that controls your air conditioner could also be controlling another important part of your car – don’t ignore those subtle warning signs.

Be road-ready

If you haven’t had your car serviced yet, it’s not too late! You don’t want to wind up stranded because you didn’t give your vehicle the care it needed in the hot summer months!

Give us a call at Conrad’s! We’d love to help you make sure your car’s ready for all the fun your summer holds!