Getting Your Car Ready for the Hot Summer Weather

Winter is just about over and the blazing summer is right around the corner. For most people, the blistering cold weather and the unexpected snow was a heavy impact on the cars that you drive back and forth to work on a day to day basis. Now that the weather is changing and the bitter cold days are being replaced with warmer weather, it is time to get your car ready for the hot summer days ahead. To avoid a not needed breakdown this summer, there are some things that need to be checked and maintained before hitting the road. Make sure you read your owners manual on the manufacturers recommended service schedules to ensure that your car is up to date and run properly.

Air Conditioner and Cooling System
No one wants their Cars air conditioner to break down on the hottest of days. It is important that you get your AC checked out by a skilled technician to make sure you don’t sweat profusely in your own car this summer. Most of the break downs in the summer comes from a car over heating. To avoid this happening to you, make sure that your cooling system gets a thorough flush at least every 24 months. You should check the level, condition and concentration of your coolant periodically.

Oil and Engine Performance
Changing your oil and oil is very important in your car’s durability and longevity. Most cars require that you change your oil every 30,000 miles. Make sure that you read your owners manual to get the specific scheduled service. Another way to maintain a good engine performance is to check and replace the air, fuel, and PCV filters as recommended.

Tires
You should have your tires rotated about every 5,000 miles. Check the pressure of your tires once a month. Keep a spare and a reliable carjack in case of that unexpected flat that can occur at anytime. Also, check your tires for worn out thread and cupping. A car that is not aligned properly causes more damages to your tires.

Battery
It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is; your battery can fail at anytime. There is no sure way of detecting whether or not your battery is weak, unless you take it to a professional with the right equipment. Auto Zone and Pep Boys are a couple of stores that do have the professional equipment that can detect a weak battery. You can take care of your battery by scraping away the corrosion from the battery and cables. You may want to wear eye glasses and rubber gloves when cleaning your battery.

Following some of these tips may help in keeping your car running good for the summer. Make sure that you have some of the emergency tools such as a flashlight, carjack, and a blanket in your trunk in the events of an emergency.