Summer Car Car Part 2

This is Part 2 of the Summer Car Care Series. Read Part 1 here.

Proper vehicle care should be done regularly, a few times a year. It might be helpful, like spring cleaning, to align your efforts with the changing of the seasons – particularly winter and summer. Here are several more summer car care tips to keep your car running smoothly and you safe behind the wheel.

Windshield Wipers

Don’t wait until it rains to realize that your windshield wipers are worn and useless.

We all know to be weather-aware in May – AKA tornado season in Tornado Alley. In Oklahoma, we’re likely to experience plenty of heavy thunderstorms, with and without the possibility of tornadoes. Be ready for the torrential downpours with new wiper blades and topped-off wiper fluid.

Essential Fluids

Like your tires, your car’s essential fluids should be checked regularly, all year.

This includes:

• Oil
• Coolant (which we covered in depth in the previous Summer Car Care article)
• Transmission Fluid
• Power-Steering Fluid
• Brake Fluid
• Air Conditioning Fluid
• Washer Fluid

In additional to checking, replacing, or topping off these essential fluids, it’s important to note how your car feels. Do the brakes feel good, or are they starting to lax and grind? More maintenance may be required to ensure a safe and properly-operational vehicle, but a good rule of thumb is to start with the fluids. For more in-depth information on the topic, check out our blog on Essential Fluids.

Sunshade

Oklahoma summers are hot and humid. Now, we’re no Houston – I’ll give you that – but it’s not uncommon to break a sweat walking the 50 feet from your front door to your parked car. So it’s no surprise that your vehicle can turn into a real oven in a matter of minutes when parked outside in the summer months. Luckily, there’s a solution that’s as effective as it is inexpensive. Reduce your vehicle’s interior temperature by several degrees by employing a sunshade when parking outside for any extended period during daylight. Your car and your passengers will thank you.

Keep a Clean Vehicle

If you don’t keep a clean vehicle, you should. But don’t worry, a cluttered, unwashed car can happen to any of us, especially with the demands and hours needed to balance work and family.

Give your car a good, thorough wash and exterior cleaning going into the summer. Decomposing leaves may be clogging up drainage points, windshield-washer nozzles, or the air filter – especially if you park your car outside overnight. Frequent washes will also help avoid any rust and comparable long-term issues.

Make sure the cabin is clean, too. You don’t want dropped food or spills rotting in the summer heat, which could cause pricey damage to your upholstery or leather.

Take the time now to get ready for the Oklahoma summer before the temperature reaches the triple digits. Your vehicle and passengers will thank you for the extra effort!