Safe summer driving all begins before you leave your driveway. It starts at your local auto repair shop with some maintenance and checks which could keep you and others on the road safer and less likely to break down. Prevention and planning are much easier than dealing with the consequences of a breakdown or, worse yet, an accident. Before you begin driving the kids all day long during summer vacation or taking those long road trips to all of the places around Arizona you’ve been waiting to see, be sure to visit our auto repair shop and have your vehicle checked over so that you’ll have a safer, smoother time out on the open road. Some of the best road-trip ready vehicle services is basic preventative maintenance items that people too often forget to do.
One of the most important things to prepare for summer driving is the status of your tires. Checking your tires is important in the summer because longer road trips in high temperatures can stress tire pressure. According to automotive experts, tire pressure will increase as the outside air temperature rises. In fact, tire pressure will go up approximately one pound for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Under some conditions that increase in pressure is enough to blow the tire! That is nothing you want to deal with halfway to your destination on the side of the highway. If nothing else, a tire that’s overinflated will wear prematurely and will cause the car to handle and brake poorly. Don’t count on your electronic tire pressure monitoring system to alert you to an overinflated tire since the warning light will only get illuminated when a tire’s air pressure is too low, not too high. This is best left to an expert who has the right tools and expertise to check vital tire pressure.
Tire tread is also important to check before hitting the hot summer roads. The minimum acceptable tread depth is 3/32 inch. You do not want to drive on minimum depths for long periods, so get new tires if they’re getting low. Plus, your tires could be uneven which means the tire is more worn on one edge. This usually means you need a wheel alignment. Also, run your fingers along the tread and feel for lumps. The presence of lumps could mean that the tire is not balanced correctly.
Radiator fluid and cooling system services are also important for summer driving. Why? The summertime is tough on cooling systems. Sitting in traffic on a hot day is one of the quickest ways to overheat your car. This is because there’s no air flowing across the engine to help keep it cool. According to AAA, cooling system failures are one of the leading causes of vehicle break-downs on the highway. Low coolant level, leaking hoses and broken electric cooling fans can all result in overheating and expensive damage. Engine or transmission issues could certain put a damper on any summer road trip.
Strong batteries are also a must-have for summer driving. The summer heat is actually even harder on a battery but best way you can keep your battery running smoothly is to keep it clean. Ask your local repair shop to test the battery to ensure that it is ready to handle the summer heat which can drain it faster.
Wiper blades are often neglected before summer driving begins. After the heavy toll imposed by winter and spring rains and our months of dry weather, windshield wipers may need to be replaced. Like rubber belts and hoses, wiper blades are vulnerable to the summer heat. Examine your blades for signs of wear and tear. If they aren’t in top condition, invest in new ones before you go.
Now that you know all of the most important things to check before you hit the road this summer, come visit our repair shop to get it all done in one place. We will gladly check your vehicles systems, fluids and tires as well as anything else it will take to keep your vehicle safer on the road. Get out there and see new things and new places. Summer is here!
