How to Prep Your Car for Summer Driving
Summertime is perfect for road trips, fireworks, stargazing, and tailgating. But is your car ready for the heat, the highway miles, and the extra weight from luggage? You can show it some appreciation with a world-class cleaning and check your car's maintenance before hitting the road. You may not know it, but hot weather conditions can negatively affect your vehicle. Therefore, it's best to stay prepared by optimizing your car for sweltering weather conditions by using these summer vacation driving tips.
Regular Summer Maintenance
Regular maintenance is vital to the life of your vehicle, especially in the warm summer heat. Check the car battery to ensure cable connections are clean and tight and the hold-down hardware is secure. Have a service professional do a battery check to determine the remaining capacity. If you hear a grinding sound or feel a vibration when applying the brakes, take your vehicle to an auto repair shop for a brake inspection. Summer brings the sunshine and the thunderstorms, so be sure to check your wiper blades. If wipers streak or fail to clear the windshield thoroughly, replace the blades. Fill the windshield washer reservoir with fluid formulated to remove insects and other debris, and test to make sure the nozzles spray adequately.
Oil Change
Even though there's no need to swap oil grades in the summer, you should still invest in regular oil changes. Fresh, clean oil optimizes your vehicle's performance by properly lubricating engine parts and keeping the engine healthy, no matter the season. In addition, oil changes help reduce and remove any excess dirt that can build up in your engine from use. Sludge is also a common development in cars, and oil changes will remove it for a more efficient running engine. Finally, oil changes contribute to the cleanliness of your engine.
Tire Maintenance
Inspect all four tires and, if you have one, the spare tire. Check if your tires have cuts, gouges, or sidewall bulges. Insert a quarter upside down into grooves to check the tire tread. If you see the top of the head, it is time for new tires. Finally, check your tire pressure before hitting the road for the best gas mileage and performance. You will find the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure listed in the owner's manual and on the sticker of the driver-side doorjamb.
Check your AC
There's nothing worse than no AC in the scorching sun. However, if you notice the air is coming out but not cold enough, there may be something wrong. You most likely need more refrigerants or need to replace your air filters. If you notice a decrease in cooling capacity, take the car to an auto repair shop for diagnosis. Also, have the cabin filter inspected and replaced as needed.
Clean and Wax
The hotter months are known for kicking up road dust, and your paint job acts as a magnet for dirt particles that, if allowed to build up, can start to harm your vehicle's finish. Washing the exterior of your car is the easiest way to prevent this. Driving through a light wash after a long trip or when it has traveled through rough terrain can cut back on grime. However, a weekly washdown is recommended for best results, even with no visible buildup.
Trustworthy Service Center Near Me
Suppose you would like to have your car checked out. Then, head over to one of the Pearson Groups of dealerships. Your automotive needs are our priority here at Pearson Signature Dealerships. We have convenient Richmond, Midlothian, VA, and Newport News locations. Our service centers assure that you get the most out of your investment by taking excellent care of your vehicle. Our experts are prepared to work with all makes and models, and you can trust our technicians to perform quality repairs that adhere to each automotive brand's standards.