How To Get Your Car Ready For Summer

Summer is around the corner and it is time for you to “get dressed” for your car. We are now presenting you 10 tips to get your car ready for summer and ensuring your car is in top condition as the temperature rises.

10 Tips To Get Your Car Ready For Summer

1. Replacing the winter tires by summer tires

The winter tires are used for wet and snowed roads or for the road which is covered by salts. In the summer, it is important for you to switch the winter tires into summer tires. Or if you use the same tires from the winter to summer, it’s time for you to look at the tires too. Check your tires for wear and tear – look for sidewall bubbles, visible wear bars and uneven wearing. Ensure your spare tire is fully inflated and in good condition. If you see any of the above, replace the tire. Be sure to look out for missing balance weights — the clip-on or stick-on lead/steel weights that mount to the edge or inside of your wheels.

2. Get busy with air conditioning

Another tip of top 10 tips to get your car ready for summer is checking your air conditioning system. You will use the car air conditioner for the whole summer, for sure. So it’s a priority to check the air conditioner. It is recommended to refill and flush every 24 months. You should never remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled! The tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses should be checked by a pro.

3. Check the brake 

Brake pads often suffer extreme thermal cycling — massive temperature changes due to the high heat of use meeting with freezing water or deep puddles. Brakes should be inspected as recommended in your manual, or sooner if you notice pulsations, grabbing, noises, or longer stopping distance. You should check the edges of your brake pads for signs of crumbling or discoloration, also examine the rotors and drums for cracking. If you can’t fix any issues yourself, take your car to the local garage.

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4. Test the lights

Since you may not use the car frequently during the winter, check the lights if every single light works well. If not, replace the burned out bulbs and lights, periodically clean dirt and insects from all lenses. To prevent scratching, never use a dry rag.

5. Make sure engine performance

For sure you do not want your car to have any problem with the engine. But it happens sometime and the coming summer is a good reason for you to look back at the engine performance. Make sure your engine performs well and there is no engine misfire. Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV, etc.) as recommended more often in dusty conditions. Get engine drive-ability problems (hard starts, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc.) corrected at a good shop.

6. Oil charge

A tip that is really useful to get your car ready for summer. It is said that the oil must be changed every 4000 miles. Pull out your car’s dipstick and check the level and color of the oil. If it’s still a pleasant shade of amber and meets the fill mark, you’re fine. If it’s amber but low, top it off or it’s black and nasty, change it ASAP. You can send your car to the mechanic, they will do that job for you.

7. Brake fluid double check

You can check the fluid in the car if your car has an automatic transmission. consult your owners manual on how, or if  you need to check your fluid level. The fluid should be at the level recommended by the manufacturer bright shade of red. If the fluid level is too much, it can cause over pressure problems – rough shifting, slippage, and the like – and too little can burn out your torque converter. Be careful when you check the fluid, because brake fluid is highly toxic.

8. Give your car some wash

Washing your car is a really useful tip to get your car ready for summer. It sounds really cool to have a clean and shiny car for the whole summer. The outside temperature is already hot, a clean car will make you feel more comfortable from the first sight when you leave your house. As washing a car is not difficult, you can wash by yourself at home or bring it to a trustful shop. Remember to clean the tires. Don’t know how to clean your car tires? Watch this video!

9. Switch winter mats into summer mats

Of course you do not want to sit in a car with all of the mats for winter. It’s already really hot outside so even inside looks and feels so hot, it’s too bad. Change the mats right after washing your car. Be sure to only use mats that were manufactured specifically for your vehicle. Also, make sure they’re properly secured to avoid driving mishaps.

10. Prepare emergency tool kit

Summer also means road trips. And it also means you may have trouble during the road trip. No one can say what will happen in the future, therefore a well preparation is never redundant. Check the tool kit, if you lose some tools, replace them. Carry some basic tools – ask a technician for suggestions. Also include a first aid kit, flares, and a flashlight.

Final Words

To prepare your car for summer, firstly read these top 10 tips to get your car ready for summer. Then look at your car and write down what you need to do, make a checklist and get to work. Do not forget following us to know more about maintenance tips.