Summer is a great time to hit the open road and explore new places. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the car windows are down. However, before doing that, you must ensure your car and its giant motor are ready for the journey. This summer car maintenance checklist can help optimize your car’s performance all season long. So strap on because we’ll point out what you need to care for to prepare your car for summer.
Top Off Fluids
Your car has a lot of fluids that keep it running correctly. These include oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. It’s essential to check all these fluids regularly and top them off as needed. This is especially true for coolant since it helps prevent your engine from overheating. You should also check your car’s battery to ensure it’s holding a charge and clean. A car battery usually lasts about three to five years, so if yours is getting close to that age, you may want to have it tested by a professional.
Inspect Your Brakes for Wear and Tear
Checking all four tires is essential, but inspecting your car’s brakes for wear and tear is incredibly crucial. Look for cracks or leaks in the brake lines and ensure the pads are thick enough. If they’re not, have them replaced as soon as possible. You don’t want to drive down the highway and suddenly find out your brakes aren’t working correctly. So, it’s better to be safe than sorry and check them out now.
Check and Adjust the Tire Pressure
Before hitting the road this summer, check and adjust the tire pressure on all four tires. The correct tire pressure can help improve your car’s gas mileage as well as make for a smoother ride. Inspecting your car’s tires for any cracks or bald spots is also important. If you find any, replacing the tire before driving on it is best. No one wants to be stranded on the road with a flat tire.
Invest in a Dashboard Sun Shade
If you live in a hot climate, you know how important it is to have a dashboard sun shade. This will help keep your car’s interior cool and prevent the dash from cracking. Dashboard sun shades are fundamental if you have leather seats since they can help prevent them from fading or cracking. On top of that, they just make driving more comfortable in general.
Treat Leather and Interior Surfaces
Not only is it essential to treat your car’s leather seats, but you should treat all the other interior surfaces as well. This includes the door panels, center console, and steering wheel. You can use a conditioner or cleaner specifically made for car interiors. This will help keep everything looking new and prevent it from fading or cracking.
As you can see, there’s a lot to do to get your car ready for summer. But, if you take the time to do all of these things, you’ll be glad you did when your car is running all season smoothly long. So, don’t wait. Get started on this checklist today.
