Just as the changing of the seasons can require you to do different chores around your house, it also signals the time to begin summer car maintenance. The heat can affect the various fluids that your car needs to operate smoothly and safely. In addition, summer traffic and road conditions are often a completely different beast than at other times of the year. The guide below explains what unique challenges you might face in the summer and how to enjoy driving around in the warm weather with peace of mind.
Your car relies on various fluids to function. However, these fluids will be more prone to thinning or evaporation in high temperatures. Therefore, check your transmission, power steering, engine, brake, and windshield wiper fluid regularly and get top-offs as needed. Keeping an eye on coolant levels is especially important to prevent engine overheating and breakdowns. Your maintenance team will also perform a car fluid check when you come in for your biannual maintenance.
Your car’s owner’s manual will list what is an acceptable tire pressure range – usually between 32 and 35 psi. However, it’s useful to know how the changing weather can impact your car’s tire pressure. Cool temperatures lower psi, while high temperatures raise it. With this in mind, perform a tire pressure check before leaving for work in the morning and adjust the levels as needed. Underinflated tires wear out much more quickly, while overinflated tires lead to bouncy rides and loss of traction.
When most people think of dangerous road conditions, they think of the winter months and snow or black ice. However, according to the National Safety Council, May through October is actually the worst time for dangerous accidents. In the summer, there are more people on the road for road trips, events, or just joy drives. There may be newly licensed drivers on the road, some of which could experience accidents. The more people on the road, the more possibilities there are for challenges to pop up. People tend to practice more caution during the winter, and there are also usually far fewer people on the road.
We don’t want you to wind up at our collision center in Lexington, KY, if it is at all avoidable. This puts some pressure on you to keep focused on the road and let aggressive or out-of-control drivers pass. Summer car maintenance is also crucial for safe travels. Whether you’re planning to put a lot of extra miles on your car in June or are just going about your normal routine, being proactive about oil changes, brake service, tire rotations, and tire replacement can ensure your car is ready to respond to your commands in case a sudden obstacle winds up in your path.
Since road construction is also common in the summer and can result in more debris on the road than usual, keeping a spare tire in your truck can be useful. Be especially cautious around holiday weekends, when people are likely to be drinking.
We hope these summer car care tips can help you to stay safe when driving in Lexington, KY, and beyond. However, if you do wind up with car damage – in the form of a tiny scratch or a windshield crack or a more serious problem – contact our body shop experts. We will see to your issues with efficiency and expertise so that you can get back on the road and enjoy the season again.
