 | Jeff Lovell is the owner of Neptune Radiator and Auto Repair. He started a radiator repair shop in 1996 and has grown over the last 15 years into an automotive repair shop. With 3 ASE Certified technicians including 1 Master ASE Certified technician, they have over 40 years of combined experience. They do everything except glass and body repair. For more information please contact us at 620.231.5890 or visit us at 902 West 4th Street. |
Automotive Service & Repair
2012-04-20 10:25:20
Prepping your car for summer
Q: I just got a new car and want to make it last as long as possible. I know that summer maintenance is important, but not sure what it should include. Can you provide me with some tips? Thanks!
A: It is good that you are planning to make your car summer road-worthy. Most people remember to think about preparing their vehicles for winter but neglect important cost saving summer maintenance. It is important to remember that hot weather can be hard on mechanical components and the proper summer preparations will help make the vehicle perform better and last longer. It really does not take much time, and it is worth every effort to give your car the extra attention.
First, if you have snow tires on your car you will want to replace them with a quality all-season set. In fact, it is a good idea to have two sets of wheels, one for snow and one for summer, and you will save on remount fees. Snow tires are not made for summer road and will wear out faster, may heat more quickly and be subject to blow out sooner.
Next, you will want to be certain that you have the correct tire pressure, and you should check regularly when the tires are cold. If the tire is not properly inflated, it does not connect to the road the way it was intended which is a safety hazard. Also, you will want to check the maker’s recommendations on correct tire pressure for summer conditions, which allow for the air’s heat expansion.
Including an alignment in your summer preparations is another great way to save wear on your tires, as well as save on the over all wear on your vehicle.
Another important summer change is the oil. You should change the engine oil and adjust the viscosity grade for summer heat. Viscosity is the thickness of the oil. Oil thins when heated, so if it becomes too thin, your engine will not have proper lubrication and will experience failure. Most modern cars have a recommended oil grade of 5W-30 or 10W-30, which are multi-viscous grades.
Always check your belts and hoses in your summer maintenance. Your car’s engine and components have to work much harder in the summer, and with the summer heat, are more likely to crack, expand, slip, or break.
The battery is another component that is most likely to experience problems in the summer. Before summer driving, make it a practice to check for corrosion and that the connections are secure. When the battery is over a couple of years old, have it tested and head off problems before you have them.
Finally, check your coolant/antifreeze mixture. This should be a 50/50 ratio.
