Team Tips: Summer Vehicle Upkeep For Stress-Free Driving

Ready to hit the road this summer? Are you sure? The warmer months are the perfect time to do some traveling–make sure your ride is ready to do so. Let’s coast into some essential car care tips that’ll give you a more stress-free summer:

1. Test The Air Conditioning

Air conditioning (AC) is one creature comfort that you don’t want to be without while driving during summer. A simple way to test whether your AC is working properly is to turn it on and feel if you're getting hot air instead of cold. One way to fix the problem is to add refrigerant to the AC system. Freon AC charging products are available in stores, but you can also take it to a mechanic to get an AC boost or help diagnose other possible issues with your system. 

2. Check The Tire Pressure

Before heading out on the open road this summer, make sure you inspect your tire pressure. When checking your tire pressure, you’ll want to look for signs that your tires are under or overinflated. Most cars have a recommended tire pressure of between 30 and 35 PSI (pounds per square inch). You should however reference your car owner’s manual to find out the correct tire pressure range. 

3. Top-Off Engine Fluids

Summer temperatures can be hard on an engine, and a car’s cooling system prevents overheating. Stats show that engine overheating is the leading cause of breakdowns during this season. Your vehicle’s cooling system should have its coolant levels checked out. 

If you are going to check the coolant levels personally, turn the engine off and wait for the engine to cool down before removing the radiator cap. Check the levels for your engine oil, brakes fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid.

4. Change Engine Oil

Getting your oil and filter changed is one of the simplest ways to keep your vehicle in good shape for summer. Oil lubricants keep your engine safe from wear and tear, and the oil filter helps remove contaminants from your car’s engine oil. 

Changing your oil is simple. However, if this service is not done routinely, your car can develop costly oil problems, like particle buildup, that could wear down vital parts of your engine. A good rule of thumb is to change your oil every 3,000 - 5,000 miles or follow the manufacturer’s oil maintenance guidelines.

5. Replace Windshield Wipers

It’s a good idea to check or replace your windshield wipers at the end of each season. 

Worn wiper blades can severely limit visibility during storms. Also, debris that collects on your windshield, such as bugs, can impair your field of view, and having wipers in poor condition can make matters worse. 

6. Check Cabin Air Filter

During summer, your car’s cabin air filter serves an important role in keeping particulates from coming in through the vents. From dust to pollen, the summer heat isn’t the only thing that can make a car ride uncomfortable. It’s in your best interest and the interest of your vehicle that the filter gets checked. An old filter can also lead to problems with your air conditioning system.

7. Test Your Brakes

With rainy conditions and animals being more active in summer, having good brakes is crucial. If you experience the issue of brakes becoming spongier when you step on the brake pedal or if you hear grinding or squeaking sounds, you should have them inspected.

8. Rotate Tires

You can extend the longevity of your tires simply by rotating them regularly. That’s because not all four tires on your vehicle will experience the same rate of wear and tear. Rotating them will help even out any wear they may experience. A general recommendation is to rotate your tires every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. 

9. Park In the Shade

Keeping your car parked in the shade is not only a good idea to make getting back into a car more bearable, but it also helps protect your vehicle from potential damage. The sunlight could eventually lead to the dash cracking. Interior damage from sunlight can be reduced by using a sunshade for your windshield.

Also, rapid temperature fluctuations inside the vehicle can cause stress cracking in the windshield glass. Aside from parking in the shade, another way to mitigate this issue is by slowly adjusting the AC to cooler temperatures when you get back in the car. 

10. Keep Engine Cool

Summer can be hard on engines, especially the engine cooling system. Issues with this system can lead to an engine overheating. Keep an eye on your engine temperature gauge. If it’s indicating high-temperature levels, this could mean your vehicle is overheating. If this happens, pull over and wait for your engine to cool down. As this is a serious problem, you should get it evaluated by a professional mechanic. 

11. Make An Emergency Kit

While this tip isn’t for maintaining your vehicle's performance, having an emergency kit can be a life saver if you find yourself in a situation where there’s something wrong with your vehicle. 

Some items to consider having in your kit could include: 

• Jumper cables
• Fix-a-flat for temporarily sealing and inflating a flat tire
• Water for yourself, or to use in a worst-case scenario for your radiator
• Emergency flares and reflectors
• Gloves
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Blanket or towel 

For maintenance items mentioned in this article, let the experts take care of your vehicle this summer. Schedule your service appointment by visiting our Service Center webpage for Ford and Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram or by calling 712.393.3000.