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Summer is on its way – Make sure your car is ready!

Your car needs maintenance year-round, but the heat of summer can bring troublesome issues for your vehicle if you don’t take care now. There are simple maintenance procedures that can help make your summer ride more comfortable and ensure that your car will keep running its best throughout the summer months.

Change your oil and filter – Winter weather conditions can put extra demands on the oil and oil filter.  Check to be sure you are not overdue for this service.  Oil keeps your engine parts lubricated and a clean oil filter works to capture harmful debris, dirt, and metal fragments that have gotten into the oil system.  Depending on the age of your car, you’ll want to change the oil every 3,000 miles or so. Check your car’s maintenance manual for the manufacturer’s suggested timing.

Clean or replace the air filter – If you have a newer automobile, it may be equipped with a pollen filter or cabin filtration systems.  Be sure these are clean so they operate the way they should.

Check your fluid levels – Transmission fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid need to be at optimal levels. It is especially important to be sure your coolant is full to prevent overheating, the biggest cause of summer breakdowns.

Inspect your tires – The air inside your tires expands in summer, putting them at greater risk for a blowout. Be sure to check the tire pressure regularly and avoid over- or under-inflating them.  Look at the tire pressure specifications on the sticker on the driver’s side door jamb. Check the tire tread using the “penny trick.”  Insert a penny into the groove of the tire with the Lincoln’s head upside down, facing you. If you can see Lincoln’s head above the tread, it is time to purchase new tires. Don’t forget to check the pressure and tread on your spare tire, too!

Examine wiper blades – Replace wiper blades if the seals and other rubber components are showing wear. Check the wiper arms for rust or corrosion which signals the need for replacement.

Test your air conditioning system – Turn on the A/C and check the level of the coolant fluid and to be sure it is working properly. You may need to have a professional inspect it for leaks if it isn’t cooling or to recharge the refrigerant.

Stop by your local service station or mechanic’s for a free battery test or use a virtual battery tester (http://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/maintain/batteries/virtual-battery-tester/) which estimates how much “life” is left in your battery when you input information about your car: make/model, age, mileage, engine type, and zip code.

Get your brakes inspected – Be sure you aren’t in need of new brake pads or more … especially if your brakes are making squeaking noises or are requiring harder than normal pressure.

Assess your car alignment – Look for signs of miss-alignment: your car pulling to one side or the steering wheel vibrating or not centering when driving in a straight line. See your local mechanic if you suspect that the car alignment is out of whack. Proper alignment extends the life of your tires and ensures a smooth ride.

Basic maintenance services like these ensure that your car will run smoothly, especially if you are planning a summer road trip. Make this a priority now to protect yourself and prolong the life of your vehicle!

If you have questions about summer (or any other time of year) maintenance for your car, call us at 978-425-3003.