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Getting Your Car Ready for Summer

posted on 5/20/2020 2:52:49 PM

Summer will be here before you know it. As the weather warms up and drivers spend more time on the road, it is important to give extra attention to your vehicle during this time of year.

It’s easy for wear and tear to go unnoticed over winter months; now is the perfect opportunity to assess your vehicle and take care of any cleaning, maintenance or repairs your car requires! Not sure where to begin? That’s okay, following the steps below will give you a great start.

Examine Your Vehicle

First, you need to properly examine your vehicle’s needs. On a bright spring day, gather the family in the yard for a good old-fashioned car wash. While you’re cleaning the exterior, closely assess your car. Keep a list of any damage or wear you see. Clean and examine the interior, too!

Check Your Tires

Next, be sure to examine your tires. Look for cuts, abrasions, or cracks. This is extremely important for your safety because your tires are the only things between you and the road! Your tread needs to be able to provide traction and handle any weather conditions you encounter, and measuring the tread on your tires is a good indication of their quality.

Instead of using a penny to measure tread, commonly called the “penny test”, it is much more reliable to use a tread depth gauge. If you don’t have one, stop in at Hartje Tire & Service! Also, avoid overinflating or underinflating your tires. Both can cause serious damage or even a blowout. For additional information on tire care, Click Here.

Bad Brakes?

The next time you drive your car, pay special attention to the brakes. Do you notice your brake pedal is not as touchy as it used to be? Have your brakes started squeaking or grinding? Does the car pull one way when you apply the brakes? These are telltale signs that your brake system needs to be serviced. Click Here for more helpful tips.

Assess Fluid Levels

Then, go under the hood to check the fluids in your vehicle. Begin by using a wiped-clean dipstick to measure your vehicle’s oil levels while the car is cool. If needed, you can add more oil yourself. Check your owner’s manual to see whether your car requires regular or synthetic oil. Additionally, the oil should look light brown in color – if it is dark and gunky, be sure to come in soon for an oil change!

The fluids in your car are toxic and can cause harm to children and animals, especially antifreeze. Monitor your car for any leaks by checking the garage floor or driveway for fluid marks. Find additional information on automotive fluids Here.

Safely Handling the Battery

Is your car turning over slower than usual when you start it up? This could signal an issue with the car battery. When looking at the battery, check for corrosive build-up around the terminals, which indicates a poor connection. Make sure the top is clean as well. Removing build-up is as easy as pouring a solution of baking soda and water (or coke!) on the battery to neutralize the acid. Learn more about your vehicle’s battery Here.

Check the Wipers

Next, spray your windshield with a hose to test the windshield wipers. If you notice streaks, it’s time for a replacement. You can also check the rubber for rips, tears, or inflexibility. These characteristics show your wipers have seen better days. In Wisconsin, it’s a good idea to replace your wipers every 6 – 12 months for optimum visibility.

Remove the Junk in Your Trunk

Finally, open the trunk and take out the gear you won’t be needing this summer: ice scrapers, kitty litter, warm blankets, etc. Remember, it’s a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your vehicle at all times. Learn more about what should be in your emergency kit in our Blog Post.

Now that you’ve thoroughly inspected your vehicle, be sure to take care of the items on the list you made. At Hartje Tire & Service, we’ll help you get your car in tip top shape so you’re ready to safely drive all summer long!

P.S. - Want to learn more? Give this podcast a listen: the first episode of All About the Car, titled Getting Your Car Ready for Summer, is a podcast by Schierl Tire & Service. This episode discusses the proper steps to take when preparing your car for safe summer driving. Find the episode here or listen wherever you stream podcasts!

Categories: Auto Repair 101 | View Count: (74) | Return

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Getting Your Car Ready for Summer

Summer will be here before you know it. As the weather warms up and drivers spend more time on the road, it is important to give extra attention to your vehicle during this time of year.

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