Car Care for the Summer Months
We always seem to make sure our cars are ready for the winter, right?
We don’t always consider this to be important during the summer though. The heat can be just as much of a problem for your vehicle as the cold.
Periodic maintenance on your car will save you tremendous hassle in the long run. Your vehicle should last longer and command a higher resale price, too! I made it a point to get my car serviced according to the dealer’s schedule, and when I traded it in, I got far more than I expected due to the stellar condition of the engine.
Reading your owners manual is also very important as it gives your vital information on the maintenance of your car, like fluid change intervals for instance.
The manufacturer’s maintanence schedule should be adhered to. Doing this will ensure that you don’t have a major breakdown while driving.
To avoid a large repair bill, ensure that your air conditioning is checked by a qualified mechanic.
The most common cause of breakdowns in the summer is overheating. To avoid this happening to you, you should ensure that your cooling system is serviced and properly filled.
During the vehicle service, make sure the belts and hoses are all checked properly by the mechanic. This shouldn’t take them long and is very important.
Oil and fluid changes should be performed every 3000 miles or quarterly.
Make sure that air and fuel filter are replaced as per manufacturers recommendations.
Make sure your windscreen washer fluid is replaced as you may have used most of it during the winter.
Tyre rotation should be done every 5000 miles. Any worn tyres should be replaced.
Also check the condition of your spare tire and removal tools.
Transmission troubles equal money troubles equal emotional troubles! Have your transmission serviced periodically, and prevent big-time repair bills.
Your brakes should be checked at regular intervals and if you notice that they are not working correctly in any way, then you must have them insnpected immediately.
Have your mechanic inspect your car battery to ensure it has enough life left.
Periodically inspect all the vehicle’s lights to ensure that they are functioning properly.
Jumper cables, torch, flares, high visability vests and a first aid kit should all be part of your vehicles tool kit.
There are some easy step that you can take to keep your car running smoothly during the summer.
Taking care of your car takes only a few minutes each month, and pays you big dividends for the life of your vehicle!
About the Author:
This author has written more articles about looking after your car. He has also gathered together 100’s more car articles on subjects like making your car more fuel efficient at his website Roberto-Beiro.com.
Filed under Car Care by Robert C. Beiro
