Preventative Maintenance for Summer Driving

Preventative maintenance is one of the best things you can do for your car. Things like changing the oil every 3000 miles, checking the transmission and flushing it every couple of years, and the like are all parts of keeping your car in tiptop condition. The following are some preventative maintenance tips geared specifically toward getting your car ready for the summer:

1. Change the oil when the season changes: the summer is a hotter month, which means you need oil for your car with a thicker viscosity than you need in winter. If you take your car to a professional place to have your oil changed, chances are they will put in the proper viscosity for your area. However, if you are changing it yourself, or at all in doubt of whether or not this is happening, make sure thicker oil is used. If the oil is too thin, it will not properly do its job, which will result in severe problems with your engine.

2. Check belts and hoses: When the season changes, the differences in temperature can put pressure on the belts and hoses in your car, especially if the changes are sudden or extreme. So, check for cracking, bulging, tearing, or any other indicator of a problem, and if you see one, get it fixed right away. Replacing a hose or belt before it breaks is much less expensive than after, especially if it causes additional problems.

3. Check your battery, and make sure it is clean. Sometimes when the weather changes, your car battery will have problems. These are only escalated when the cables or posts are dirty. So, if you want to practice preventative maintenance, and make sure your car is ready for summer, make sure you battery is in good condition. You will want to check for cracks, bulging, and of course dirt. Use a solution of baking soda, and water, along with a wire brush to clean the posts well, so that your car turns on each and every time.

4. Check tire pressure: One of the causes of improperly inflated tires is changes in weather. The air in your tires expanding or contracting is pretty well out of your control, but whether or not you ignore the problem, or deal with it, is. So, buy a tire pressure gauge. They are fairly inexpensive. Check your owner’s manual for what the tire pressure ought to be, and then make sure that anytime the temperature rises or drops you check the pressure to make sure the tires are properly inflated. If not, then inflate further, or deflate some until they are. Proper inflation means better gas mileage, and better wear and tear on your tires.

5. Replace wipers and top off fluids. The winter is tough on wipers, so get new ones so that you can always drive with a clean and clear windshield. Additionally, take you car in and get all the fluids topped off, or do it yourself.