Service Trips and Tips for Summer Car Care

Jun 5, 2024

Today we’re back with another helpful service tip post and things to remember when embarking on Summer adventures and travel! Be sure to give your vehicle a very thorough inspection, and check the vehicle inside and out and under the hood. Our friendly and knowledgeable service technicians are here to help if you have any questions.

Make sure you have a comfortable and clean vehicle interior. Consider getting your car professionally detailed, and add a designated receptacle to collect trash. You’ll be spending a long time in your vehicle en route to your destination, and a clean car can help maintain your health and allergies, as well as giving your passengers a comfortable ride. Consider getting a neck, tailbone, and/or lumbar support pillow to keep you comfortable on long distances.

Check and Test your A/C, and bring it in for a service before you hit the road. Don’t wait until the sweltering heat is already in full-force before you test your Air Conditioner. Make sure the fans and cooling unit are working properly before the summer gets here, and get it tuned-up and repaired if not!

Check Tire Air Pressure and Rotate Tires

After several day-trips or even a lengthy drive to your vacation destination, your car tires are going to have seen their fair share of wear-and-tear. Check the tread depth for signs of wear or uneven tread; replace or patch any damaged tires. Check the tire pressure before you depart on your next adventure, and especially with any 10 degree temperature change outside. Inflate them to the recommended PSI from the manufacturer’s guidelines. Make sure you bring your car in for a wheel alignment check and have the tires rotated to ensure even wear.

Stop ignoring your dashboard lights, bring it in for a checkup before you embark on your journey. Bring your car in for a general tune-up and check-up and get a reading on all those blinking lights you keep trying to ignore. Don’t wait until your car breaks down or strands you on your summer road trip! Get things taken care of now, so you can enjoy all of your day-trips and vacations without any added stress.

Change Oil and filter

Each vehicle make/model will differ in mileage requirements for oil changes, but most are between 3,000 and 6,000 miles between an oil change service. Be sure that you bring your car in at the appropriate mileage markers especially if you’ve been making frequent drives or a long journey. It will ensure your vehicle runs more efficiently in hot weather, reducing the chance of a seized engine or fuel inefficiency.

Clean and/or replace air filter

Summer heat means running the AC frequently, and that can lead to a need to replace your air filter in just one or two months as opposed to the usual 3. Make sure you’re regularly checking the filter and cleaning it as needed, or replacing it earlier if you’ve been doing a lot of driving this summer. It will ensure that your AC runs properly and can consistently cool your vehicle.

Top off Fluids and grab some extras.

While it’s important to keep your car’s fluids in check on the regular and with each seasonal maintenance, it’s imperative that during the summer months you especially keep an eye on your Coolant and motor oil levels. An increase in summer travel along with high-heat can mean these fluids are depleted quicker than average, and the last thing you want is to be stranded on the highway with a seized engine. Make sure that you have Antifreeze/Coolant topped off as well as the appropriate oil before you leave on a long trip. Consider adding a small box of bottles of your vehicle’s required fluids in the backseat or trunk in case of emergencies.

Remember to stop for gas frequently, whenever you see a fueling station. Take advantage of a chance to top off your tank even if you still have ¾ left. You never know when you’ll encounter unexpected traffic or delays.