Make Your Car Ready for SummerHere's what to do to make sure you have a safe summer travel season.
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Make Your Car Ready for Summer
A lot of us hit the road during the summer for that long-heralded national tradition, the American family vacation. If you don't want to end up on the side of the road, make sure your car is up to the trip.
Tires
Start with the tires. If you live in a cold climate and use snow tires in the winter, you'll want to replace them with all-season tires. Otherwise, your snow tires will wear quickly on dry pavement, produce additional road noise inside the car and most likely cost you some gas mileage.
Next, check your tire pressure. The correct pressure for your tires can be found in your owner's manual. Before checking the tire pressure, let your car sit for at least twenty minutes. Now go ahead and check the pressure. This can be done using an inexpensive tire pressure gauge which you can buy at your local auto parts store. Remember that warm weather will increase tire pressure by roughly one pound for every ten degrees Fahrenheit. After you check the pressure, compare with the recommended pressure and add or remove air accordingly.
Engine Oil
Hot weather thins out engine oil. To protect your engine, go to a thicker grade during summer. A good 10W-30 or 10W-40 should do the trick. Check your owner's manual or talk to your mechanic for the correct grade for your car.
Belts and Hoses
Have your mechanic inspect all the belts and hoses in your vehicle and replace the old and worn ones. You won't want one of them to break while you're on a long road trip.
Wipers and Wiper Fluid
Visibility is very important and summer storms can strike with little warning. Inspect your wiper blades and replace them if necessary. Also top off your wiper fluid reservoir. It's located near the edge of the engine compartment. For greater visibility, consider adding a window cleaning solution instead of regular water.
Check the Battery
Hot weather places undue strain on the electrical system. If your battery is more than a couple of years old, have it tested by a certified mechanic. If it's on the border between good and bad, have it replaced. It's an inexpensive repair. Also, make sure the battery connections are free of corrosion. You can purchase an anti-corrosion spray from your local auto parts store to keep them clean.
Check the Coolant
Confirm that the coolant in your radiator is the right mixture. It should be a 50-50 mix coolant to water. Buy an antifreeze tester at the local auto parts store and run the test. Adjust the mixture accordingly by adding either coolant or water.
Carry an Emergency Kit
On the off-chance that you might experience a breakdown while traveling, it's best to carry an emergency roadside kit during the summer. In addition to food and water, we suggest taking along jumper cables, flares, a first-aid kit and a basic tool kit.
By following these suggestions, you'll greatly increase the chances of a safe travel season for yourself, your family and friends. For more information, read our article called How to Get Your Car Ready for Summer.
A lot of us hit the road during the summer for that long-heralded national tradition, the American family vacation. If you don't want to end up on the side of the road, make sure your car is up to the trip.
Tires
Start with the tires. If you live in a cold climate and use snow tires in the winter, you'll want to replace them with all-season tires. Otherwise, your snow tires will wear quickly on dry pavement, produce additional road noise inside the car and most likely cost you some gas mileage.
Next, check your tire pressure. The correct pressure for your tires can be found in your owner's manual. Before checking the tire pressure, let your car sit for at least twenty minutes. Now go ahead and check the pressure. This can be done using an inexpensive tire pressure gauge which you can buy at your local auto parts store. Remember that warm weather will increase tire pressure by roughly one pound for every ten degrees Fahrenheit. After you check the pressure, compare with the recommended pressure and add or remove air accordingly.
Engine Oil
Hot weather thins out engine oil. To protect your engine, go to a thicker grade during summer. A good 10W-30 or 10W-40 should do the trick. Check your owner's manual or talk to your mechanic for the correct grade for your car.
Belts and Hoses
Have your mechanic inspect all the belts and hoses in your vehicle and replace the old and worn ones. You won't want one of them to break while you're on a long road trip.
Wipers and Wiper Fluid
Visibility is very important and summer storms can strike with little warning. Inspect your wiper blades and replace them if necessary. Also top off your wiper fluid reservoir. It's located near the edge of the engine compartment. For greater visibility, consider adding a window cleaning solution instead of regular water.
Check the Battery
Hot weather places undue strain on the electrical system. If your battery is more than a couple of years old, have it tested by a certified mechanic. If it's on the border between good and bad, have it replaced. It's an inexpensive repair. Also, make sure the battery connections are free of corrosion. You can purchase an anti-corrosion spray from your local auto parts store to keep them clean.
Check the Coolant
Confirm that the coolant in your radiator is the right mixture. It should be a 50-50 mix coolant to water. Buy an antifreeze tester at the local auto parts store and run the test. Adjust the mixture accordingly by adding either coolant or water.
Carry an Emergency Kit
On the off-chance that you might experience a breakdown while traveling, it's best to carry an emergency roadside kit during the summer. In addition to food and water, we suggest taking along jumper cables, flares, a first-aid kit and a basic tool kit.
By following these suggestions, you'll greatly increase the chances of a safe travel season for yourself, your family and friends. For more information, read our article called How to Get Your Car Ready for Summer.
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