Summer Maintenance to Avoid Costly Car Repair

Summer comes around every year and with it brings promises of wide open roads and trips across the country behind the wheel of your trusty vehicle. Before you hit the road with your beef jerky and Cheetos, be sure to perform a few simple maintenance tasks in order to avoid unexpected delays on your trip and unexpected car repair bills. 

The radiator is a relatively inexpensive part of the motor to maintain because fluid is cheap and can be flushed easily. However, it can be a very expensive part of the motor to replace if the fluid starts to break down and corrodes the inside of the radiator. Every year, be sure to schedule a radiator flush. This is a very simple and convenient procedure that can often be scheduled with other regular car repair maintenance tasks such as oil change or tire rotation. 

Most manufacturers recommend that you replace your air filter twice every year. Get the fresh air flowing this summer with a new air filter and it will help improve your gas mileage on those long hauls. 

Tire checks are something we often think of in the winter when snow starts to pile up and roads become hazardous to drive on. However, it is important to check your tires in the summer as well and get them rotated regularly. You want to ensure you have adequate tread to deal with any sort of wet weather that may come your way. 

Speaking of wet weather, don’t forget to check out your windshield wipers. Along with the headlights, these are simple and cheap to replace and will help improve your visibility. That difference in visibility may mean avoidance of a costly accident or other car repair need. Driving with only one headlight is not only dangerous, it’s also illegal.

During the winter months, you relied heavily on your battery to get the vehicle going on even the coldest days. Corrosion on the battery posts may have built up, so it is important to inspect the battery and clean the posts if necessary. 

Lastly, keep an eye on your brakes. Be sure to take your vehicle in for regular brake checks. Arguably one of the most important parts of a vehicle, brakes will help keep you and your family safe on the road this summer.

Enjoy your road trip! Take your time and take the scenic route. Be sure to avoid costly car repair bills by taking a little extra time under the hood before you leave.