Top Summer Car Care Tips

Ensure Your Fluids are Still Full and Clean

You can easily check most of your fluids at home – and it’s a good idea to do so regularly. Check the levels, consistency, and smell of your engine oil, transmission fluid, and coolant from time to time. This way you can catch any leaks before they cause serious damage, as well as getting a transmission fluid flush or cooling system service to keep your car running optimally.

Check Your Tires & Brakes

Winter months can also be hard on your tires. Potholes and temperature changes can cause extra or uneven wear on your tires, plus extra moisture from snow and ice can rust metal parts of your brake system. Not to mention, you may use your brakes a bit more in the winter with adverse weather conditions, wearing down brake pads faster.

Prevent Blowouts from Over-Full Tires

One thing you can easily do from home is checking your tire pressure. During the winter, you may have to add extra air as temperatures drop. The reverse will happen as temperatures rise again. The risk in the summer is having too much air in your tires and having potential blowouts when you hop on the highway. The combination of warmer outside temperatures and the heat from friction between the tires and the road can cause overfull tires to burst.

Head Off Battery Problems

Seasonal battery checks are a great way to avoid coming out to a car that won’t start. Both winter and summer conditions can be harsh on car batteries, especially if you don’t have a good way to shelter your car from the elements, such as a garage or cover.

Do a Quick Visual Check and Have a Mechanic Run a Test

You can easily check how dirty and corroded battery connections are and clean them with baking soda and water as necessary. However, the surest way to know your battery is in good shape and still has plenty of life left is to have your battery checked as part of a summer safety check.