While the dates on the calendar indicate it’s still officially spring, hot summer-like weather is already here. And, that has us thinking about summer preventative maintenance for your vehicle.
Preventative maintenance any time of year is something you should pay attention to as a savvy car owner. That’s because taking your car to your local auto repair shop for routine maintenance is one of the best things you can do to protect your investment and keep it running smoothly. Small problems can be discovered and fixed before they become bigger, more expensive problems down the road.
As we head into the summer months, though, maintenance for your vehicle becomes even more important if you live here in Arizona. That’s because our extreme summer temperatures can have a significant effect on many vehicle parts and systems. Do yourself and your vehicle a favor by starting on summer preventative maintenance now. Let’s take a look at a few things that should be inspected or addressed.
5 Summer Preventative Maintenance Essentials
- Tires – Changing temperatures can cause the air pressure in your tires to change, too. And, driving on tires that aren’t properly inflated can be a safety issue, or wear your tires out quicker than expected. Under- or over-inflated tires can also affect gas mileage, something everyone’s watching these days with ever-rising gas prices. Check the sticker on the inside of your driver’s side door to find the ideal tire pressure for your vehicle.
- Spare tire – While we’re on the subject of tires, don’t forget about your spare. Let’s hope you don’t have to use it any time soon but if you do, you’ll want it to be in good condition. Having a properly inflated spare with good tread is especially important if you’re planning a road trip this summer. Simply remove the tire from its storage space and check the tire pressure and visually inspect for any issues.
- Windshield wiper blades – The hot summer sun can easily deteriorate the rubber on your wiper blades in a short period of time. If you’re using blades that are several months old, they may not be able to make it through another season. With monsoon season just around the corner, new wiper blades could be exactly what you need to improve your driving safety.
- Battery – Most car batteries only last 3-5 years anyway, but batteries exposed to extreme heat have an even shorter lifespan. If your battery is already three years old or more, you may want to consider replacing it now. At the very least, you can schedule battery service to have it inspected and cleaned. The last thing you want is to be stuck beside the road with a dead battery in the hot summer sun!
- Radiator and Cooling System – Just like you need to stay hydrated and cool in the hot summer temperatures, your car does, too. In fact, an overheated vehicle is one of the most common reasons for breakdowns. With our summer temperatures often reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, this is one of those summer preventative maintenance items that shouldn’t get ignored. A good way to prevent your car from overheating is to schedule a cooling system service at the beginning of the season. We’ll inspect, clean, and flush the system, check for leaks, add fresh coolant, and more.
Tempe Auto Repairs and Maintenance
The best time to schedule summer preventative maintenance is NOW. Don’t wait until it gets too hot or you get too busy. Simply taking the time for routine maintenance when it’s due can help you enjoy your summer even more! Just give us a call or schedule an appointment online today.
