Summer presents an excellent opportunity for road trips and basking in the splendid weather. Yet, it’s equally crucial to prioritize the well-being of your vehicle and maintain its optimal condition throughout the season. In this blog entry, Alberta Cash for Cars offers valuable guidance on imperative tips for summer car care, ensuring your vehicle runs seamlessly and remains safe on the roads.
Important tips for summer car care and maintenance
Routine summer car care and maintenance will not only extend the life of your vehicle but also ensure that it operates safely and efficiently.
Maintain Your Air Conditioning
Summer can be extremely hot, humid, and unbearable without a properly functioning air conditioning system. Maintaining your air conditioning system helps keep you and your passengers cool and comfortable. Ensure your air conditioning system works well by checking the compressor, evaporator, and condenser. Also, have it checked regularly and consider getting it serviced if it’s not cooling.
Monitor Your Tire Pressure
Proper tire pressure is crucial for your safety and fuel efficiency. During summer, as the weather gets hot, tires tend to expand, causing them to overinflate. As an important summer car care, check your tire pressure and inflate it according to the manufacturer’s recommended level. Underinflated tires can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 3%.
Clean Your Battery
Your car’s battery is vulnerable to hot weather, and a dirty or corroded battery can reduce the battery’s life and performance. It causes your battery to lose its charge more quickly, so check it regularly. Cleaning the battery’s terminals and securing the connections can prevent electrical problems. Extreme temperatures can reduce your battery’s lifespan by up to 50%.
Check Engine and Transmission Fluids
Hot weather demands that your engine and transmission fluid be in good condition. Regularly check the fluids to ensure they are at the appropriate level and change them when necessary. High temperatures can put extra strain on your engine. Overheating is one of the main reasons that cause engine damage. Check your car’s manual for the recommended service interval, or take it to a professional mechanic.
De-Winterize Your Car
Winter conditions can be harsh on your car. De-winterizing your vehicle can involve checking its fluid levels, removing any winter tires replacing them with summer tires, and changing your oil.
Check the Wipers
Summer weather can be unpredictable, and sudden rainstorms may be common. As a summer car care, checking your wipers is important to ensure they function correctly so you don’t have to face any driving hazards.
Check Your Brakes
Summers are known to be a busy time of year on the roadways. During this season on busy roads, you must always move slowly and use a clutch and brakes. If the brakes are not working properly, it can lead you to a dangerous accident. Checking your brakes and replacing worn brake pads can improve your safety on the road.
Protect Your Paint
The sun’s rays can damage your car’s paint and exterior surfaces. Park in shaded areas whenever possible to minimize exposure to the sun. Wash and wax your car regularly to remove dirt and protect the paint. Apply a UV protector to plastic and rubber surfaces to prevent them from drying out and cracking.
Interior Care
The scorching heat can make your car’s interior uncomfortable and affect its longevity. Invest in sunshades to keep the interior temperature down and protect the dashboard from fading and cracking. Clean the interior regularly, vacuuming carpets and seats to remove dirt and debris. Consider using fabric or leather protectors to maintain the quality and appearance of your car’s interior.
Be Prepared for Emergencies
No matter how well you care for your car, emergencies can still happen. Make sure to keep a first aid kit, flashlight, and other emergency supplies in your car at all times.
Car oil and oil filter change
Oil is the car’s lifeblood and keeps the engine’s hard-working parts clean, smooth and cool. Most car manuals recommend changing your oil and oil filter every 7,500 miles because it’s one of the summer car care tips. Experts recommend changing the oil every 3,000 miles or every three months. The reality is that most people drive more during the summer when the engine is likely to overheat, so it’s one of the best summer car care tips to check your car’s oil before you go on a trip.
To check the car’s oil, you should wait for the car to run for a few minutes, then park it on a non-sloping surface and turn off the engine. Open the hood and remove the oil dipstick. At this stage, you should look for the engine oil level and the appearance of the oil. If the car oil is low, you can add another liter or simply change the car oil completely. Car oil should be yellow and brownish. If the color of the oil is dark, it can be said that there is a lot of dirt in it, so it is definitely necessary to wash the oil and change the oil filter.
Oil recycling
If you change your oil and oil filter, do not throw it in the trash because it can contaminate local streams or end up in groundwater. Pour the oil into a recyclable plastic container, such as an empty two-liter soda bottle. Place the oil filter on a container or plastic tray and let it drain for 12 hours. Add the remaining oil to the bottle put the used filter in a plastic bag, and take all these items to the nearest recycling center. Many oil change places and auto parts stores accept used filters and filters for recycling.
Adjust your driving habits
There are many differences between driving in winter and in summer. In winter, you focus on the conditions; for example, you drive in snow, but in summer, traffic or other things can make the road conditions worse, which means you have to spend more time in the heat and in the car. Get your car ready for summer means that you have to deal with the rush of pedestrians or cyclists So you have to increase your level of caution and coordinate with other activities. Drivers on the road should be more aware of their surroundings despite the presence of electric bicycles, electronic scooters and other devices.
Repair minor damage
Various reasons can lead to damage to car components. For example, a snow mass hitting the car antenna can break it. Small things do not always affect the performance or safety of your car, but they can be annoying. When inspecting your car, it’s best to take the time to fix minor issues to get your car ready for summer. It can be said that driving a fully functional and healthy car is better and more wasteful than driving a car with defects.
Wash and wax the car
In winter, road salt and dirt from melted snow can dirty the car. But Summer is the perfect time for you to focus on the details of your car. In summer, the weather is much better for washing the car, and the cleaning work will be easier. It is better to take your car to the car wash to know the car’s details.
Regular maintenance and inspections
Even if your car seems to be running smoothly, following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule is important. Regular oil changes, filter replacements, and inspections of belts, hoses, and suspension components will help identify potential issues before they become major problems. A well-maintained vehicle is more reliable and less likely to leave you stranded during summer adventures.
Conclusion
It’s important to pay attention to your vehicle’s maintenance, no matter what season it is. However, ensuring your vehicle is well-prepared for summer weather is necessary. Following these 9 tips for summer car maintenance can help keep you and your vehicle safe and comfortable on the road, and you can be confident that your car can handle the warmer weather. Don’t wait until the last minute to get your car in tip-top condition. So, be mindful, and take care of your car. Your summer driving experience will be much more enjoyable and comfortable.
