Car Repair: Getting Ready For Summer

The summer is a time that most people look forward to eagerly. Vacations, summer break for the kids, and the warm months that make winter seem like a distant memory. If you have any interest in car repair, there are some things you should think about doing to get your vehicle in tip-top shape for this season. This is especially true if you are planning on taking the vehicle on an extended road trip. Keeping up with your auto maintenance duties will prevent expensive mechanic bills in the future, not to mention the inconvenience of being without your ride for an indeterminate length of time.

It might make sense to either do a radiator flush yourself or bring it into a car repair shop to have it done for you. It's a fairly simple process, but getting that old coolant out of there and replacing it with fresh antifreeze is always a good idea. If you leave it in there too long, it could wind up breaking down and eating away at the inside of the radiator. As you can see, this simple maintenance tip is one of many that could prevent expensive bills in the future. 

While you're thinking about maintenance, go ahead and take your vehicle in to a good car repair shop for an oil and filter change. This should be done approximately once every three months, so if it has been that long, go ahead and do it again. While you're at it, have them go ahead and change out the air filter as well. Most experts agree that this should be done a couple of times a year, so you might as well go ahead and get that done while you're at the shop.

Make sure you take a good look at your tires before you even think about putting the family in the car for a long haul across the U.S. Worn tires have been the cause of more than a few accidents. Not only that, but you could be wasting gas mileage at the same time. Make sure you have a spare in the trunk in case you have a flat on your vacation. For best results, get a real spare tire instead of the little donut that most people have waiting for them.

Of course, there really is no good stopping point when it comes to preparing your vehicle for summer drives. You can check the windshield wipers, have the brakes looked at, clean out the headlights, and more. Do whatever you need to do to make your summer road trip as safe as possible. If it's that time (you can check your owner's manual to see), you might also want to consider taking your vehicle into the dealership or a good car repair shop for its regularly scheduled tune-up package. This can be a little expensive, but the years it can add to your car's life make it more than worth it in many cases.