Most of our customers know how important it is to winterize their car, but very few realize what intense summer heat can do to their vehicles. Neglecting pre-summer car maintenance is a BAD idea… especially if you’re planning any long road trips.
But we want to help you set your vehicle up for summer success!
To do that, we’ve put together a list of the top 5 things you need to do as we’re approaching July:
Inspect Your Cooling System
Your car’s cooling system does more than determine the comfort level of your car’s interior. Your air conditioner is one of the few things keeping your engine from overheating and failing. Our technicians recommend getting your car AC serviced at least once every year, and late spring is the PERFECT time to schedule that appointment.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Did you know that heat causes your tires to deflate?
We can’t emphasize this enough–NEVER drive on under-inflated tires. Affecting braking, handling, and even fuel economy, low-pressure tires are already bad enough. But, if you add extremely high road temperatures to the mix, you’re looking at a sudden decrease of about 2 to 4 PSI and a heightened risk of tire blowout.
Before summer hits, check your tire pressure, refilling the air according to your car owner’s manual standards or replacing the tires if need be. While you’re checking your tires, it’s also a good idea to look for any signs of uneven wear–which could point to an alignment or suspension issue.
Clean & Secure Your Batteries
Summer is the absolute worst time of year for car batteries. High heat speeds up a battery’s water evaporation and corrosion, ultimately leading to a significant drop in its ability to keep a charge. Both heat and excess vibration can cause eventual internal breakdown and failure.
Although you can’t prevent the heat, you CAN maximize your battery’s capacity by cleaning off any corrosion build-up and making sure your battery is mounted securely.
If it’s been a while since you replaced your battery, it’s probably time to have an experienced technician check on it and tell you how much longer it will last.
Care For Your Engine
Your engine is always working hard to keep your vehicle running smoothly. However, it works 10 times harder when temperatures climb into the 80s, 90s, and 100s. Not only is it essential to maintain your cooling system before your engine has a heat stroke, but it’s also necessary to monitor your engine fluids and take swift action when you see check-engine lights.
Click here for 9 practical things you can do to maintain your engine.
Top Off Your Fluids
Just like your body, your vehicle needs plenty of fluids to run properly during warm weather. Engine fluids are necessary for two main reasons–(1) to lubricate your car’s running parts and (2) to keep your engine cool.
As temperatures rise, it’s a good idea to make sure your motor oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and brake fluid are all filled to maximum capacity. For the type of fluid, check your owner’s manual.
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Performance Auto Specialists | Wilmington NC
We realize that auto repairs are often inevitable. But at Performance Auto Specialists, we strive to give you the education and affordable prices you need to make smart car service decisions.
So, when you come to us with a concern–from your AC and engine to your battery and alignment–we’ll answer all of your questions, explain the problem and the solution, and provide a detailed estimate before we perform any work.
Need to see an Auto Repair Specialist? Schedule an appointment!
Have questions? Call us at (910) 343-1650.
Tags: seasonal maintenance