Summer brings highway rides with the windows rolled down and wind ruffling your hair, too-hot seats in the sunshine, and the blessings of air conditioning for drivers, but it’s not an easy season on cars.
Most people are careful with their cars in the winter because they’re aware of the damage ice, salt, and storms can do to their cars, but do you know what you need to do in the summer to keep your car running fine? Here are some tips on maintaining your car during the summer to stay safe and keep your car running for as long as possible.
1. Check your tires?All that winter driving can wear down the tread on your tires, or if you’ve just switched out from winter tires to all-season tires, you aren’t as familiar with them yet. Make sure they have adequate tread depth to get good traction during summer flash thunderstorms or heavy rain, and check your tire pressure.
2. Swap out windshield wiper blades?All the ice and sleet on your windscreen over the winter can damage the rubber on your windshield wipers, and you might not notice until the summer if you get used to having streaks of snow or slush on your windshield. Don’t wait until you get caught driving in the rain to discover that your winter blades aren’t cutting the rain for you.
3. Change your oil?Depending on who you listen to, you need to change your oil as often as every 3,000 miles, or as little as every 7,500 miles. You’re probably doing more driving now that the weather’s good, and you can quickly pass oil change points without even noticing. If your oil looks grimy or is dark, change the oil and your filter.
4. Replace your air filter?This ought to be done once a year, so make a habit of doing it every summer as part of your summer car care routine and you won’t forget. Don’t let your car performance and gas mileage suffer from a clogged filter any longer than it has to. It’s easy enough to do yourself, too.
5. Check all your fluids?Brake fluid, power steering, transmission, differential, and coolant are a few of the engine fluids you should check yourself or have checked for you after the winter. If your car was sitting in the garage, this is especially important.
6. Check your brakes?This is an important step for many obvious reasons!
Don’t let your brake pads wear down, or you could put yourself and your passengers at tremendous risk, plus those around you on the road. You can check it yourself if you have the tools and know-how, or take it into a shop to find out. If your brakes have been acting oddly in any way, get this done pronto.??Don’t wait until your car breaks down and you end up slowly roasting on the side of the road while you wait for a tow truck. These steps are all relatively quick and inexpensive, and can help prolong the life of your car and keep you safe while you enjoy summer driving.