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Famous Cars: Patton’s Willys JeepKeeping Up with Summer Car Maintenance
Stay safe and cool on the road with this essential summer car maintenance checklist covering tires, fluids, A/C, and more.
Summer Car Maintenance Checklist
With the summer fully upon us, there is no time like the present to run through a checklist of hot weather car maintenance tips. Summer often means long drives for vacation and, of course, plenty of time commuting to work and sitting in traffic while the mercury climbs. Ensuring your vehicle is operating properly in the summer heat means a pleasant car ride for you and longevity for your vehicle. Let’s take a look at a few key summer car maintenance tips.
Maintain Your Tires
It’s a good idea to inspect your tires before any long trips. Visually, you can look for cuts, gouges, or bulges in the tire. A bulge is typically caused by a harsh impact and can lead to a blowout, so don’t wait on having this fixed. You should also check the pressure at all 4 corners and compare it to the manufacturer’s sticker on the door jamb, not what’s on the tire. Adjust as necessary.
The Cooling System
Your car’s cooling system helps prevent engine overheating and though fairly complex, an easy check is the coolant level. When the car is cold, check the coolant level and top off as needed. It’s also worth checking the owner’s manual for recommended intervals on having this system flushed. As well, inspect the rubber hoses coming off the radiator for signs of wear like bulges, leaks, or brittle surfaces. Don’t wait to have any issues with this repaired by an expert.
Checking Belts, Hoses, and Fluids
While you’ve got the hood up, visually inspect the condition of the various belts and hoses running throughout the engine bay. A car’s rubber drive belts power the water pump, alternator, and air conditioning compressor. Look for cracks or glazing on the belts and the same signs of hose wear as you would for the cooling system. Fluids for the brakes and power steering should be checked as well, though cars with electric power steering won’t have a fluid reservoir. Top off these tanks as needed and call your local shop for help with worn belts or hoses.
Top off your Engine Oil
The lifeblood of your car’s engine is oil, so it’s worth regularly pulling the dipstick to ensure correct levels. You can top this off with a grade of oil designed for hot weather use and always be sure to change the oil using the manufacturer’s suggested intervals.
Test Your Car Battery
One more easy summer car maintenance tip you can follow while you’re in the engine bay is battery condition. Look for any corrosion or loose connections at the positive and negative terminals. Loose connections can be tightened with a wrench, but corrosion may mean it’s time for a new battery. Your mechanic can perform a more thorough diagnosis on this, as well as checking for remaining battery capacity.
Make Sure Your Air Conditioning Stays Frosty
Perhaps no car system feels more important during summer driving than the air conditioning. A simple way to check on its status is to go for a drive, turn on the A/C, and decide if it’s blowing ice-cold air. If not, take it to a shop to fix potential system leaks or recharge the system.
Wash and Wax to Protect Your Car
Summer weather comes with its own set of challenges to keeping your car clean. Namely, bugs, sun, and tree sap. Left alone, these three factors can wreak havoc on your car’s paint job. So, give your car a regular washing and waxing to prevent damage to the finish and look good in the process.
