Sunshine, barbecues, and poolside chats are just a few of the reasons everyone looks forward to summer. But before you go slathering yourself with sunscreen, consider how your vehicle will be affected by the change in seasons.
The heat and dust provided by summer’s weather, as well as the additional weathering incurred by winter, can be a recipe for disaster for your vehicle. Luckily, you can combat this by performing routine maintenance on your vehicle. Here are just a few things our team at the Zimbrick Acura service center recommend that drivers everywhere do to ensure their vehicle is in tip-top shape this summer.
Get Your Car in Shape for Summer
Get Your Tires Looked At
If you own dedicated winter and summer tires, make sure to inspect the rubber on your summer set for tears, cracks, or abnormalities. For those of us who own all-season tires, look out for bubbles in the sidewalls, uneven wear, or visible wear bars. You should also take the time to ensure that each of your tires are properly inflated, including your spare. Make no mistake: neglecting your tires’ health is a detrimental, and potentially lethal, mistake.
Check Your Engine’s Oil
As daily temperatures continue to rise, your vehicle’s oil will begin to thin out more quickly. To combat against this shift in viscosity, consider using a thicker oil like a 10W30. At the very least, check your engine’s oil health by removing the dipstick, wiping it off, reinserting it, and pulling it back out. If you can see the dipstick through the oil, you’re fine. If the oil looks gloppy and dark, schedule an oil change with our service team ASAP.
Service Your Coolant
Your coolant system is responsible for keeping your engine and radiator at a reasonable temperature. It achieves this by circulating a mixture of water and coolant throughout the vehicle. If your coolant system has been neglected and stops functioning properly, you run the risk of your engine overheating. If your engine overheats, you’re in for a bad time and a hefty bill. Luckily, you can use a coolant tester system (available at any auto parts store) to tell you if your water to ethylene-glycol ratio needs to be adjusted.
Check Your AC
This seems self-explanatory — no one wants to be dripping sweat on their commute home from work, yet millions of people find themselves doing just that every day during the summer. This can be avoided by making sure your AC has enough Freon to function at maximum capacity. If your AC is acting up, it’s recommended that you have it looked at by a certified technician.
Schedule Summer Car Service in Madison, WI
As the summer continues to ramp up in intensity, you’ll want to follow the four tips above to make sure your car is prepared for anything. In addition, to guarantee your vehicle runs at peak performance, schedule a summer service appointment at Zimbrick Acura.
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