7 Easy Summer Car Care Tips
Posted on January 27, 2020
With rising temperatures and more hours of daylight, summer is the perfect time to get out of the house and hit the open road! As a Toronto Jeep Dealer, we're big fans of summer road trips-near or far, it's more about the journey than the destination. As long as the songs are cranked up and the windows are down, a good time will be had by all…if your car is running properly, that is!
Don't forget to do some basic summer maintenance before revving your engine. Summer heat and long hours on the road can be tough on your car and can lead to maintenance problems. You wouldn't want a day on the road interrupted by issues that could have been avoided.
With these easy to follow summer car care tips, you'll have your car in perfect condition to take you wherever the road leads!
Check your tire pressure.
With rising temperatures, the pressure of your tires needs to be adjusted. In the cold temperatures of winter, the air inside your tires compresses. Come summertime they will likely be overinflated, which can lead to hydroplaning in a rainstorm.
You can easily check the air inside your tires with a pressure gauge. Consult your car's manual or the inside rim of the tires to find the correct pressure. And don't forget to check your spare tire while you're at it. There's no point in having a spare if it's flat!
While you're down by the tires, check the treads to make sure they look even. If not, it may be time to have your tires rotated or traded out for a new set.
Get ready for rain.
Along with the sunny days we dream about all winter long, summertime comes with thunderstorms. You'll want to make sure your vehicle is ready to handle the rain by checking your windshield wipers.
The cold temperatures of winter can be very hard on wipers, and the ice and salt don't help either. Inspect each blade and look for tears or cracks in the rubber. Also, if your windshield wipers leave a streak on the glass, it's a sign that it's time to replace them.
Check the coolant.
Idling in traffic on a hot summer day is one of the most common ways to overheat your car. Avoid having to call a tow truck on the side of the road in sweltering heat by checking your cooling system at the beginning of the season.
To do this, you're going to have to open up the hood and see if your coolant levels are where they should be. If you need to add more liquid, use half antifreeze and half water. While you're at it, check the hoses connected to your radiator. They should be firm and free of cracks.
Also, keep an eye out for leaks. If you see a puddle under your car after it has been parked for a while, it's likely that you have a coolant leak and should take it to be serviced as soon as possible.
Clean your battery.
Heat and batteries just don't mix. The summer temperatures can be extra tough on your car's battery. The best way to keep it running properly and lengthen its lifespan is to keep it clean.
Simply detach the battery's cables and clean off the terminals. If your battery is acting up, take it to our service shop where they can do an inspection and advise you on the next steps to take.
Give the undercarriage a washing.
Living in a snowy climate can take a toll on your car. The salt that's used to melt ice can get built up on the undercarriage and will begin eating away at the metal. This is definitely not a good thing for you car!
Lucky for you, it's easy to clean off this gunk yourself with a regular hose or a pressure washing system. If you're not in the mood to DIY, most professional car washes can do it for you.
Change your oil.
If you're planning on doing a lot of driving this summer, be sure you stay on top of changing your oil at the correct time. Most experts suggest changing your oil every 4,800 kilometres.
Before heading out on any long road trips, check your oil at the very least. To do this, let your car run for a few minutes, then park it on level ground and turn off the engine. Use your dipstick to check that the oil level is correct and the colour is brownish yellow. If the oil is dark or dirty, it's time for a change. Sound like more than you want to take on by yourself? We'd be happy to do it for you schedule a service appointment and we'll get you squared away for summer.
Check your air conditioning.
Hitting the road on a hot summer's day with no AC can turn an otherwise good day into a miserable one. Be sure that your air conditioning unit is working properly before you run into issues on the road. Most often, issues with air conditioning are caused by a leak in the system. This can be a complicated repair, so if the air coming out of your AC unit is warmer than it should be, have your car looked at by a professional.
A quick fix for a broken AC unit is to mount a small, solar powered fan on your dashboard to remedy the problem until you are able to have it serviced.
Bonus Tip!
It's never fun to think of all the things that could go wrong on the road, but it's smart to be prepared for any situation with an emergency kit. While this is important to have inside your vehicle all year long, the start of summer is a good time to check it over and update your kit for new season. Swap out shovels and ice scrapers for bottles of water (for both the radiator and yourself) and sunscreen.
Now what?
The open road is calling your name; so don't delay getting your car summer-ready! If you're itching for a new pair of wheels this summer, stop by our dealership to get a price on our wide selection of new Jeeps. Want to get started right away? Browse through our current inventory. Making summer plans has never felt so good!