Essential summer car maintenance tips
When spring appears, auto owners should consider even warmer temperatures by utilizing some simple steps to avoid the summertime blues. To paraphrase the old saying, “if you ignore it; you’ll lose it.” So, after spending a winter simply going in and out of a family garage, it’s usually a good idea to check everything just to be sure.
1. Tires:
In the wintertime, many folks decide to forego winter tires due to cost concerns, and instead utilize chains. Using these appliances tend to abuse non-winter tire compounds, since the cold allows tires to become brittle, and allow for rubber chafing and chipping.
Consequently, before getting ready for any summer outing, inspect each tire to ensure that there are no signs of damage. Issues can include; odd sidewall wear; slices or chips in/around the beads mating the tire with a wheel, and any irregularities associated tread surfaces.
Next, check each tire stem, since salt put down by winter roads can cause these devices to crack, lose air slowly, and without notice. Finally, use an inexpensive tire gauge to ensure that all recommended pressures are set.
2. Lighting systems:
Many folks don’t notice lighting issues in the winter due to slush, mud and other road-borne containments that reduce visibility. However, once bad weather moves on, its time to ensure that bulbs are up to snuff, while investigating all lighting lens where unknown cracking may has allowed moisture to enter various enclosures.
3. Under the hood:
While this may be obvious, many folks don’t consider engine wear and tear during winter driving. Of course, fluid levels should be checked, but also all flexible hoses, since in the same way that tire compounds become brittle, similar problems exist with hose components and an engine’s cold/heat/cold cycle can exacerbate the problem further.
So, take 20 minutes and look around your car before you set off to your summer adventure. You may find something that will save time and money later; and if not, you’ll be able to eliminate at least one worry as the temps go higher.
