Getting Your Car Ready for Summer

Summer has arrived, and with it comes lots of fun trips in the sun. Whether you’re going to the beach, to a baseball game or to some other fun destination, your automobile is likely to add a lot of miles to the odometer by the end of the summer. The added mileage as well as the damage caused by the elements (such as the intense summer sun, sand and heavy summer thunderstorms), can potentially wreak havoc on an otherwise healthy car. Taking your car to an automotive repair shop at the beginning of the summer is a great way to prep your car for coming months (especially if you’re due for your PA state inspection).  Here are five things you should consider when getting your car ready for the summer.

Check the Little Things: As any good automobile mechanic can tell you, checking up on the small details is an important first step toward maintaining your automobile. Make sure to replace worn wiper blades, top off your windshield washer fluid, check the bulbs on your break lights and headlights and be sure to test your turn signals. Little things like this may not seem too important to how your automobile functions, but each plays a critical factor in your overall safety behind the wheel.

Check Your Brakes: It’s vital to have an auto repair shop check your brakes before taking any trips during the summer. This is because an automobile’s brakes can take a lot of abuse during the frosty months of winter. Southeastern Pennsylvania’s chilly winter weather can be particularly rough on brakes, but fortunately, there are many places to go for great brake repair service in Bucks County.

Check Your Tires: Like your brakes, tires can take a massive amount of abuse during the winter months. Be sure to check out the rubber and treads on the tires to make sure they aren’t too worn out from snow and rock salt. While working on that area, it may not be a bad idea to take your car in for wheel alignment and service.

Check the Oil: Pop the hood, pull out the dip stick and take a look at the oil quality and quantity in your car. Make sure to change the oil, if needed. How often should you change the oil? It depends on the type of oil the automobile is using, however, a good rule thumb is to get it changed every 4,000 – 5,000 miles. Though it may not seem like it, giving your car an oil change at home can be difficult if you don’t have the right tools and knowledge. If this is the case, take it to an auto mechanic.

Check the Coolant Mix, Transmission Fluid, Brake Fluid and Everything in Between: Automobiles are sophisticated, delicate machines. They need a lot to work and maintenance to keep them running properly. While simple tasks like checking the coolant levels are easy enough to accomplish, more elaborate processes like checking the battery, checking the transmission fluid and monitoring the brake fluid can be difficult for someone with little automotive experience. Because of this, it’s always a good idea to take your car to an automotive repair shop for a tune-up before you go for any long summer road trips!