Summer Maintenance

Summer is upon us, and for most it means summer vacations, road trips and just the typical summer driving. Before you start traveling this summer, you may want to spend some time going over this summer maintenance checklist. This checklist can help you stay on the road instead on the side of the road, and most importantly out of a mechanic shop.

Heat is one of the biggest enemies on your vehicle. Fortunately vehicles are built to handle the heat that extends over 100 degrees. That is, if they are maintained properly. The two most important things to take care of when seasons change are oil and coolant. Engine oil should be changed every 3,000 miles, depending on the oil you use. The coolant in a radiator doesn’t last forever, the radiator should be flushed every 60,000 miles. Fresh oil and coolant can help keep your engine cooler. If any of these two fluids are low or old, heat buildup is predictable.

Other things to check before summer traveling:

Clean Air Filter: Air filter should be checked and blown out with an air gun every time you check oil. After you blow out all the dust, hold the air filter up to a good source of light. If you can see light through the air filter, it does not need to be replaced. If you can’t see light through the air filter, it’s time to replace the filter.

Check Tires: Check all four tires of your automobile, make sure the tread depth of the tires is good for driving in the rain. Also check the air pressure in your tires, you can find the recommended amount of pressure on the inside of the driver’s door, in the owners manual or on the side of the tire. Look on the inside of the driver’s side door or in the owners manual first.

Check Wiper Blades: It’s important to have good windshield wiper blades for the summer rain, winter weather can do a number on them.

Inspect Brakes: Brakes on any vehicle should be inspected at every oil change to keep you always safe. Also it’s important to check the brake fluid. A mechanic technician can assist you in this process.

Check the Battery: Winter weather can also cause battery corrosion. Check your battery posts and cables for any corrosion to make sure that you can start up right away.

Check All Lights: You may not notice a light bulb(s) out on your vehicle. Now would a good time to go through all the lights on your vehicle. Have someone assist you in this process, it’s a lot easier. Check the headlights, blinkers, brakes lights, license plate lights and reversed lights. Checking these lights will not only keep you safe, it will prevent you from getting a ticket.