If you’ve lived in Arizona very long, you know that our summertime temperatures can, and often do, reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit on a regular basis. Now, imagine sitting out in the heat like that and waiting for a tow truck when your vehicle breaks down on the side of the road. Unpleasant, right? Yet, that’s exactly what can happen if you fail to plan ahead.
That’s why we’re bringing you some essential summer preventative maintenance tips for your vehicle. We can’t guarantee that you’ll never have a breakdown, of course, but we can guarantee that routine maintenance like this will keep your car in better shape. And, it’ll be better equipped to handle the hot summer weather.
8 Essential Summer Preventative Maintenance Tips
Before your summer calendar gets too busy, and certainly before you go on that summer road trip, be sure to add these items to your vehicle maintenance to-do list:
- Check your tires – Inspect for wear and tear but also check tire pressure. Temperature changes can cause air pressure changes, too, and the last thing you want to do is drive on over- or under-inflated tires. With the right tire pressure, your tires will wear more evenly, they’ll have better contact with the road, and your gas mileage can even be improved.
- Inspect belts and hoses – Extreme heat like we have in the summer can cause rubber to break down and crack. Ask your mechanic to check all belts and hoses to make sure they’re in good condition.
- Schedule an oil change – The oil change frequency for your vehicle depends on several factors including the type of vehicle as well as where and how you drive. Hot temperatures can also cause oil to break down faster and lose its effectiveness. Play it safe by scheduling an oil change at the beginning of summer if you haven’t recently had one done.
- Check your battery – Heat is the biggest enemy of car batteries. With a typical lifespan of 3-5 years, they’ll often wear out more quickly when exposed to extreme heat like we have here in Arizona. If your battery isn’t due for replacement yet, be sure to at least schedule battery service to make sure it’s in good condition for summer driving.
- Top off fluids – There are a variety of fluids your car needs for parts to stay lubricated and functioning as intended. However, heat can cause these fluids to evaporate or break down more quickly. Check fluid levels frequently to ensure they’re at optimal levels.
- Check your AC – If you haven’t already done so, schedule an AC service to make sure the system is working properly. You don’t want to get stuck in 100 degree heat without a functioning air conditioner in your vehicle! At our Tempe auto repair shop, we have the right knowledge and equipment to service your vehicle’s AC system so you can keep your cool all summer long.
- Check the cooling system – The AC system keeps you cool but the cooling system keeps your car cool. Servicing your vehicle’s cooling system is one of the most important summer preventative maintenance tips because it can actually help prevent a vehicle breakdown.
- Change your wiper blades – Sounds simple, right? It is, and it’s one of the easiest things you can do to improve your driving safety, especially with monsoon season right around the corner. Since the hot Arizona sun can make the rubber on your wiper blades break down quickly, make sure to inspect them frequently and replace them as needed.
Convenient and Affordable Auto Repairs in Tempe
Whether you have a brand new vehicle or a high mileage car, following these summer preventative maintenance tips as well as scheduling routine maintenance all year long can help your vehicle keep running smoothly. Don’t wait until summer’s half over before you get your vehicle ready … schedule service now and you’ll be able to enjoy your summer!
