While many drivers gear up for winter, AAA also recommends preparing your vehicle for summer driving, particularly in parts of the country with extreme heat. Here are preventive maintenance steps that can help keep your vehicle running smoothly:
Battery Your battery’s two worst enemies are heat and vibration, which lead to internal breakdown and eventual failure. Heat causes faster evaporation of the battery fluid, leading to corrosion on terminals and connections. Clean any corrosive buildup from the battery terminals and cable clamps, and ensure the clamps are tight enough that they will not move. To minimize vibration, make sure your battery is securely mounted. If a battery is more than three years old, have it tested by a trained technician to determine how much longer it will last.
Cooling System Your vehicle’s cooling system protects your engine from overheating when it’s working extra hard in summer. Additives in the coolant protect the radiator and internal engine components against wear and corrosion. Over time, the coolant becomes contaminated and its protective additives are depleted, so be sure to flush and replace it as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Between flushes, check the coolant level and, if necessary, top it off with a 50/50 mix of water and the coolant type specified by the vehicle manufacturer. (Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot; boiling coolant under pressure can cause serious burns.) Inspect and replace hoses and drive belts that have cracking and soft spots caused by extreme heat.
Tire Pressure Driving on under-inflated tires affects vehicle handling and braking and can cause tires to overheat, increasing the likelihood of a blowout. Check your tire pressure when the car has not been driven recently, and inflate them to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer—found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the driver’s door jamb. Some vehicles use different pressures for the front and rear tires. While checking tire pressures—including the spare—inspect the tire treads for depth and signs of uneven wear that can indicate a suspension or alignment problem.
Fluids Most engine fluids not only lubricate, but also serve as coolants that help carry heat away from critical components. When fluid levels are low, this cooling effect is reduced, and the possibility of overheating increases. Check all vehicle fluids including motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid to ensure they are filled to the appropriate levels and, if needed, top off using the type of fluid specified in the owner’s manual.
Air Conditioning A comfortable driving environment reduces fatigue, which can affect driver alertness and safety. If the air conditioning is not maintaining interior temperature as well as it did in the past, it can indicate a problem such as a low refrigerant level. Have your air conditioning system checked by a certified technician. If the climate control system has a cabin filter that blocks outside debris, inspect and replace the filter as needed to ensure maximum airflow and cooling.
AAA recommends that every driver have a well-stocked emergency kit in their vehicle. Include water, non-perishable food items, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, road flares or an emergency beacon, basic hand tools and a first aid kit.
More car care posts will be posted soon!
