5 Simple Summer Car Care Tips

Ah, it’s the middle of summer and the hottest part of the year. This heat can often affect your car if you don’t keep up with regular maintenance. Here are five simple tips from Smyth Automotive for keeping your car in top shape for the remainder of the season.

 1. Check All of Your Fluids

Now is the time to check and top off your fluids to avoid overheating. This includes brake fluid, power steering fluid and coolant. And don’t forget about your oil. Checking your oil regularly is even more important during the summer when your engine is more likely to overheat. If it’s low, top it off. And don’t forget to schedule your regular oil changes.

2. Inspect Your Tires

Tire pressure can fluctuate when outside temperatures do, which can affect your gas mileage, your car’s handling and the overall life of your tires. Make sure your tires are properly inflated according to your car’s recommended PSI (pounds per square inch). You can find this in your owner’s manual or on your driver’s side door. Also, you should regularly check your tires for potential damage due to road hazards and general wear and tear.

3. Get Your Radiator Checked

Buildup can cause overheating or even damage to your radiator. Have your mechanic check for damage and clogs in your radiator and flush the cooling system if necessary.

4. Check Your Battery

Has it been a while since you bought a battery? Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, which can lead to corrosion. So, old batteries can die in the summer just as easily as they can in the winter.

5. Check Your AC

You don’t want to find out your AC needs repair during the hottest time of year. If the AC doesn’t feel as cool or if it seems weak, it could be blocked or need more Freon. Be aware that a weak AC could actually cause your engine to overheat, so get it checked out as soon as you notice something is wrong.

Also, remember to keep a few important items in your trunk in case of emergency:

• Extra antifreeze in case you overheat
• Extra water to mix with the antifreeze
• Quart of oil
• Properly-inflated spare tire
• Emergency kit that includes things such as flares, tire gauge, jumper cables, flashlight, etc.