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Summertime auto maintenance advice


1. Examine the air conditioner

Air conditioning works wonderfully in the summertime heat. When the temperature rises, you'll want your car's air conditioning to function properly. Make careful to test your air conditioner before the summer arrives since you may not have used it in the winter or spring.

Refrigerant (Freon) charges might be an easy solution if your air conditioner is producing hot air when you turn it on. You may improve your car's air conditioning system by adding refrigerant. A auto mechanic should be able to identify and resolve the issue if that doesn't work.

2. Check the air pressure in your tires.

It's possible that the winter weather damaged your tires. Therefore, check your tire pressure before embarking on any lengthy road excursions this summer. When doing a tire pressure check, you should be on the lookout for indications of either an underinflated or overinflated tire. The recommended tire pressure range for most passenger automobiles is between 30 and 35 PSI (pounds per square inch). If in doubt, consult your vehicle's owner's handbook to find out the precise tire pressure range.

A flat tire or tire explosion may be avoided with the right tire pressure. During those lengthy automobile trips, making sure your tires are correctly inflated will also help you get the most mileage possible.
It's a good idea to check the spare tire's air pressure while you're at it to be sure it will function as a trustworthy backup in an emergency.

3. Refill engine fluids

Low engine fluid levels are often caused by changes in the seasons since warm temperatures cause engine fluids to thin or even evaporate. You should fill up your coolant, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield wiper fluid when summer arrives.

Since coolant fluid prevents your car's engine from overheating, it's especially crucial to check it in the summer. To check the coolant level in your automobile, follow these steps:

    Slide the hood open.
    Find the coolant reservoir, then remove the cover.
    Verify the coolant level indicated by the reservoir's indicator lines.
    Add the necessary quantity of coolant to the reservoir if the indicator lines show that the coolant level is too low.
    Put the cap back on.

Your local technician can assist you in topping up all engine fluids, including coolant, if you're not comfortable doing yourself. 

4. Replace your oil and filter. 

One of the easiest methods to prolong the life of your car is to get the oil and filter replaced. Oil filters assist in removing impurities from your car's engine oil, while oil lubricants protect your engine from wear and strain.

Replacing your oil is easy. On the other hand, if this maintenance is neglected, your vehicle may have expensive oil issues, such as particle accumulation that may eventually wear out essential engine components. Changing your oil every 5,000 miles is a decent rule of thumb, or you may adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations for oil maintenance.

5. Check the brakes.

After the severe winter weather, it's critical to keep an eye on your car's braking function. Because you depend on your brakes every time you drive, it's a good idea to have frequent brake checks done all year round, not just in the summer.

When checking your brakes, you should pay attention for any screaming or growling noises in addition to the apparent warning sign of poor stopping ability. Additionally, you should see whether your car pulls to one side when you depress the brake pedal. If you see any of these indicators of poor performance, it's time for an examination and maybe a repair.

6. Change the wipers on the windshield

Keeping your vision intact is a crucial need while operating a vehicle. The summertime may cause glare from the sun, dust, and pollen particles to obstruct your view through your windshield. Verify the efficiency of your windshield wipers to make sure nothing is blocking your view. At the conclusion of each season, it's a good idea to inspect or replace your windshield wipers.

Additionally, confirm that your light beams aren't obscured by pollen or other debris.  To make sure you can see properly at night, in the rain, or in any other situation that can impair your vision from the driver's seat, replace your headlights right once if they seem weak or dim.

7. Replace or clean air filters on a regular basis

The air filters in your automobile are quite vital, particularly during the summer. They are essential in warmer months or high-pollen season because they prevent pollutants from entering via the vents. Not to add, using your air conditioner with an outdated filter might cause issues.

It might cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 to replace your whole air conditioning machine, thus it is crucial and economical to regularly check the quality of your air filter. It is recommended that you replace your air filter every 12 months or 12,000 miles, or as advised by your manufacturer.

8. Vacuum your vehicle

Maintaining a clean car's exterior and inside is not only financially prudent over time, but it also makes sense emotionally. Warm weather has the potential to melt plastics, food, or other debris left inside your vehicle, damaging the inside and perhaps necessitating an expensive repair.

Maintaining a clean exterior may also shield your paint job from UV radiation and dents from flying insects and birds.

9. Turn on your tires.

Just routinely rotating your tires can help them last longer. This is due to the fact that your car's four tires won't wear out at the same pace. Rotating them will enable all four tires to function in every position of the vehicle, so assisting in distributing any wear they may incur. It is advised by experts to rotate your tires every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. 

10. Pull into a shaded spot.

Try to park your vehicle in the shade whenever you can on hot days. Not only does parking in the shade keep you comfortable, but it also helps your automobile stay cool and last longer. The paint and outside of your automobile might be harmed by the sun's rays, which could be expensive to repair. Severe heat waves may also cause your car's leather seats and steering wheel to become heated, making driving more challenging.

If you can't park your car in the shade, it's a good idea to have window shades on your vehicle. These shades will shield your vehicle from UV rays, prevent the inside from heating up, and shield it from the sun's other harmful rays. 

11. Maintain a cold engine

The purpose of the cooling system in any automobile is to remove heat from the engine and keep the engine running at the right temperature. Coolant, hoses, a thermostat, a radiator, and a water pump make up the cooling system.

The temperature gauge will show you if the coolant in your engine is cold, normal, or overheated. It is used to assess the coolant levels in your automobile. In case the temperature gauge displays elevated values, it can indicate that your car is experiencing overheating. In the event that this occurs, stop and allow the engine to cool. Since this is a significant issue, it is advised to get in touch with your neighborhood mechanic straight away to get it fixed.


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