Heat, sun, and extra time on the road can do real damage to your car during the summer months. The last thing you want is to break down on the side of the road on a hot day. Here are a few tips on how to take care of your car this summer to help it stay on the road and still look good.
- Check your battery. Summer heat drains a battery more than any other time of the year. Replace your battery if it’s close to the end of its lifespan.
- Have your engine checked. All the belts need to be checked for cracks and to make sure there’s enough tension. Without it, you could be stuck on the side of the road – in the heat.
- Replace brake pads if they feel spongy when you’re stopping or slowing down.
- Don’t ignore weird squeals or other noises. Have your car looked at by a mechanic to make sure everything is working properly. Again, you want to avoid sitting in a hot car on the side of the road.
- Have your oil changed on a regular basis through the summer. You may be traveling a lot and putting more miles on your car. You’ll want to change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
- Check your tire pressure. Flat tires are only one potential problem. Driving on tires that don’t have enough pressure also kills your gas mileage.
- Get your air conditioner checked and make sure the air filters are changed.Nothing is worse on a hot day than hot air blowing in your face.
- Change your windshield wiper blades. worn blades leave streaks behind when it rains which makes it harder to see while you’re driving.
- Keep your car clean. Dirty windshields are hard to see out of, and dried sap or dead bugs can eat away at your paint job.
- Get a dashboard sunshade. You’ll keep the cabin of your car a little cooler and protect the color of your seats and dashboard which can fade in the sun.
- Add a rear sunshade if you have kids that ride in the backseat. This will keep them from getting too hot, too.
- Consider a cover for your steering wheel if it gets unbearably hot during the summer. It’s hard to drive when your hands are on fire.
Taking care of your car in the summer is important for the life of your car and for the health of you and passengers. Getting too hot can make everyone sick, and even if it doesn’t, you’ll still be miserable. A little time at the mechanic now and a few supplies will help you keep your car in good shape all summer long.
One more thing to do to get yourself ready for any summer driving, especially road trips – make sure you have enough auto insurance in case the worst happens. Contact us at Charlotte Insurance, and we’ll take a look at your policy, suggest changes, or get you a quote for a new policy.