Summer Car Care: Cruising Through the Heat
We all love summer – the sun shining, windows down, and the open road ahead. But as the temperatures rise, so do the challenges for our four-wheeled companions. Here’s your ultimate guide to summer car care, ensuring your ride stays cool and reliable during those hot and sunny days.
Breathe Easy: Check Your Air Conditioning
Nothing beats the bliss of a cool breeze on a hot summer day. Start your summer car care routine by checking your air conditioning system. Ensure it’s blowing cold air consistently and, if needed, recharge the refrigerant. A comfortable cabin temperature makes those long drives much more enjoyable.
Coolant Check: Keep Your Engine Chill
Your engine works hard, especially in the summer heat. Ensure it doesn’t overheat by checking and topping up your coolant. Look for any leaks and ensure the coolant is a vibrant color – typically green or orange, depending on the type. A well-maintained cooling system is your engine’s best friend in the heat.
Tire TLC: Grip and Traction in the Heat
Hot pavements can take a toll on your tires. Check the tire pressure regularly, as it tends to fluctuate with temperature changes. Also, inspect the tread depth for even wear. Properly inflated and well-maintained tires not only ensure safety but also improve fuel efficiency.
Battery Basics: Avoid Summer Breakdowns
Extreme temperatures can be tough on your car’s battery. Before the summer heat reaches its peak, have your battery tested. Clean the terminals and ensure a secure connection. A well-functioning battery is your insurance against being stranded on a scorching summer day.
Fluids Matter: Keep Everything Flowing
Fluids are the lifeblood of your car, and summer is no time to skimp on their care. Check and top up your oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Regular fluid maintenance ensures that all components work seamlessly, even when the mercury climbs.
Shade Seeker: Protecting Your Interior
The summer sun can be brutal on your car’s interior. Invest in a sunshade to protect your dashboard and steering wheel from the scorching rays. Consider using seat covers to prevent leather or fabric from fading, and crack your windows slightly to allow heat to escape when parked.
Wash and Wax: Shielding Your Paint
The summer sun not only tests your patience in traffic but also challenges your car’s exterior. Regularly wash and wax your vehicle to protect the paint from the harsh UV rays. A good waxing not only enhances the shine but also forms a protective barrier against summer elements.
Brake Check: Ensuring Safe Stops
Summer often means road trips and more time on the highway. Ensure your brakes are up for the challenge by checking the brake pads and rotors. If you notice any squeaking or grinding noises, it’s time for a brake inspection. Reliable brakes are crucial for safe travels.
Stay Hydrated: Your Car and You
Just like you need to stay hydrated in the summer heat, so does your car. Check the windshield washer fluid regularly and top it up as needed. Clean windows are not only essential for visibility but also add to the overall aesthetics of your well-maintained ride.
Plan for Emergencies: Be Prepared
Lastly, summer car care is incomplete without an emergency kit. Include essentials like jumper cables, a flashlight, basic tools, and first aid supplies. A little preparation goes a long way in ensuring you’re ready for any unexpected twists on your summer adventures.
Hit the Road with Confidence
Now that you’ve mastered the art of summer car care, hit the road with confidence. Your well-maintained vehicle is not just a means of transportation but a reliable companion for all your summer escapades. So, buckle up, roll down the windows, and enjoy the sun-soaked adventures ahead! Read more about summer car care
Summer’s fast approaching, and for many that means making plans for the traditional family getaway at the beach, mountains or with distant relatives. For most it means packing the kids, luggage, coolers and equipment into the family vehicle and hitting the highways.
Smart families know they should get their vehicles checked out beforehand to help ensure worry-free summer travel. But today’s busy schedules leave little time for backyard, do-it-yourself tinkering.
Here is some advice on locating a good repair establishment from the pros at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, the group that tests and certifies automotive professionals:
* Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one.
* Ask your friends and associates for their recommendations; consult local consumer groups.
* Arrange for alternate transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop based solely on location.
* Look for a neat, well-organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays.
* Look for a courteous staff, with a service consultant willing to answer questions.
* Look for policies regarding estimated repair costs, diagnostic fees, guarantees and acceptable methods of payment.
* Ask if the repair facility specializes or if it usually handles your type of repair work.
* Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area, such as civic, community or customer service awards.
* Look for evidence of qualified technicians: trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced courses and ASE certification. Also look for the ASE sign.
ASE was founded in1972 as a nonprofit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of auto service professionals.
Approximately 400,000 professionals hold current ASE credentials. They can be found at every type of repair business, such as independent garages, dealerships, franchised outlets and collision shops. Certified technicians wear blue and white ASE insignia or pins, while their employers often display their technicians’ ASE credentials in the customer service area and post the ASE sign on the premises.…