7 car maintenance tips for the summer
Are you gearing up for the summer? Are you getting ready to take a road trip to a cool Canadian destination? It's important to prepare your vehicle in two ways. First, make sure you have your insurance in order. Second, it's important to make sure that your car is up to the task.
Here are seven checkups you should perform heading into the summer months, especially if you will be relying on your vehicle to carry you on a long-distance road trip.
1. Check your brakes
Are you brakes working? You want your brakes to be 100 percent so that you don’t get into an avoidable accident. It’s better to catch issues with your brakes in the early stage as opposed to waiting until it’s too late. If you hear a squealing or grinding sound when you press down, or if the pedal feels at all loose, it is worth looking into. Brakes on your car are not something to be cavalier about.
2. Test out the a/c unit
This one isn't as life or death, but not having a/c on a long summer drive can be frustrating. Make sure everything is in working order so you don't have to choose between sweating and spending the whole drive with a deafening wind in your face.
3. Inspect the wipers
You want to ensure that your wipers are in working order. Heavy rain can turn a pleasure trip into a harrowing ride if your wipers leave you blind. Make sure that your wipers aren't pulling up off the glass, and that they are suited to handling a downpour. If they aren't, then it's time to replace them.
4. Pay attention to your engine belt
According to Auto Trader, your engine belt "Can deteriorate, become loose, start to squeal, and sometimes just break for no apparent reason. It needs to be in good condition and at the right amount of tension. If you see cracks in the belt or small pieces missing, it's time to replace the belt.”
Making sure you aren't using a belt that is way past it's expiration date can help save you from an unplanned pitstop on the side of the road. It can also save you from paying a large sum at the mechanic's.
5. Check your fluids
Have you gone in for an oil change? How's your brake fluid? How are your coolant levels? What about wiper fluid?
Keep tabs on how often you need to change each item and stick to the schedule. If you are planning on doing a lot of driving this summer, or are going for a road trip, make sure all your fluids are topped up.
6. Tire pressure
How’s your tire pressure? It only takes a few minutes to check, which is small potaotes next to the time required for changing the tire and getting a replacement. Any time you are going for a long drive it is a good idea to check on the tires.
7. Look at your battery
There’s nothing worse on a road trip than a dead battery. Look into your battery so that it’s ready to go for another season. And, of course, make sure to turn off the lights and stereo or anything else that needs power each time you leave the vehicle.