Summer maintenance tips to keep your car running smoothly

Whether or not you’re planning to hit the road for a summer trip, the beginning of warmer temps signal that this is the time to put a little maintenance into your car.

Heat and direct sunlight can have a detrimental effect, and put a spotlight on any existing issues in older or neglected vehicles. At the very least, it’s wise to start checking your cooling fluids more frequently and park your car in the shade. While proper vehicle maintenance is important all year long, it becomes even more so as the temps heat up and you’re running the air conditioning. That’s why today, we’re offering a couple of friendly tips to help with summer time car maintenance.

First, it’s important to consult your mechanic to uncover any existing issues. A good mechanic can tell you if you have any leaks, wear and tear that needs to be attended to, fluid or filter changes needed, or issues that can be addressed with an alignment or tune-up. If you don’t want to pay for a once over at a mechanic’s shop, at least take your car to a friend that knows cars and can give you some trusted advice.

You might also want to consult your owner’s manual, or do an Internet search on your make and model. Is you car more susceptible to anything in particular? For instance, cars with dark paint or interior upholstery will retain heat from direct sunlight, which could lead to cracks and other wear.

Need more advice? Check out these summer maintenance tips online before the rubber meets the road!