No matter where you live the summer months can be daunting on your car but in Southern California especially the temperature and weather conditions can add excess amounts of stress on your car. While vehicle maintenance is important to follow during the summer the best way to handle the season is to prepare your car in the months leading up to summer. This article will help you form a checklist of important car maintenance items that you should take care of to make sure your car is properly prepared, taken care of and ready for summer.
Air Conditioning
Chances are whether you’re out on the road for 5 minutes or 500 miles you are going to rely on your car’s air conditioning to keep you cool and comfortable. Turning on the A/C to get blasted with hot air or a completely broken air conditioning will ruin your car and can cause excessive problems with your car overheating. Instead follow your car’s annual air conditioning maintenance so that the necessary repairs can be made when needed year-round. By checking things like the coolant levels and having the system inspected for leaks and damage you can help spare you a major hassle and inconvenience in the middle of the summer.
Battery
Not specific to summer, your car’s battery can fail or die any time of the year but it’s a bigger hassle and problem in the middle of a hot summer afternoon. When you schedule routine maintenance for your car make sure to include a battery inspection and test to find things like leaks and corrosion while also having the connections checked and tightened. This will ensure that your car starts right up without any unwanted surprises when you need them least.
Brakes
Summer is the most popular time for road trips and nothing is more important than reliable brakes. Dealing with any brake problems can lead to dangerous situations out on the roads along with high service and repair costs should something serious happen. Routine brake services are always recommended annually and will always ensure safe, strong performing brakes even when the weather is at its’ worst.
Lights
Visibility is important when driving during those long summer nights so make sure to have your car’s lights checked and replaced as needed. Whether it’s a burnt out bulb or damage/scratches on the lenses replacing it will improve your visibility and keep your safer.
Oil
Oil changes should always be performed at the recommended intervals or it can lead to severe issues for your car’s performance. It’s especially important to have fresh engine oil before embarking on a long summer road trip so if you’re planning any vacations make sure to have your car’s oil checked and changed.
Tires
Annual tire rotations will help promote even tire wear and tear while also allowing mechanics to inspect them for other damage and cupping. Driving on worn out tires can also cause issues with your alignment while also putting you at risk for a blowout while on the road.
Emergency Supplies
It’s an unfortunate reality but no matter how well prepared you and your car are, sometimes accidents are inevitable. Work with your trusted mechanic to form an emergency supply kit of basic tools and items to help you in the event of car problems while out on the road. Be sure to include important items like:
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Flares
- Tire patches
- Pump
Preventative Maintenance You Can Trust
If you don’t think your car is prepared for summer and would like to schedule an appointment with experts you can trust then call the experts at Star Motors today. We are Orange County’s largest independent service center and for years we’ve helped drivers prepare their cars for summer and beyond.
Our expert mechanics utilize the latest factory tools and equipment available to properly diagnose and service each vehicle we service. We specialize in European vehicles so no matter the make or model your car is in good hands with our trained technicians.
Call Star Motors today to speak with one of our mechanics with any further questions regarding preparing your vehicle for summer or if you would like to schedule maintenance for your car.
