Summer will officially be here before you know it. You undoubtedly have planned some road trips for the season. You will also be taking rides to the pool or to grab a bag of popsicles from the grocery store. Is your vehicle, however, ready for the summer heat? Remember these summer car maintenance tips by Reader’s Digest to make sure your car is fit for the warmer days ahead.
Inspect Your Tires
During the summer months, hot pavement and cabins full of passengers combine to put extra pressure on your tires. This season typically sees a higher rate of blowouts as a result. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on the condition of your tires. Make sure they’re properly inflated and fit for the road ahead. Check their tire pressure on a regular basis.
Be sure also not to overinflate them if you ever have to air them up. Underinflated tires are more prone to blowouts. Overinflated tires, however, increase the risk of hydroplaning on a rainy roadway. Tire tread will help you grip the road. While you’re taking a look at your tires, insert a penny headfirst into the grooves of each tire. If you can still see the top of Lincoln’s head, then the tread is too shallow to offer traction. Those tires need to be replaced.
Watch Your Engine
Your engine has to work hard under the hood. It’s important to keep it from overheating during the hottest days of the summer. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge on the dashboard. Look out for any steam or smoke coming from under the hood. If you see anything concerning, professional service right away.
Keep Cool
When it’s hot outside, it’ll likely be hot inside your car when you hop in. Knowing that you’re about to hop into a sweltering cabin can be a daunting prospect no matter where you have to go. Drivers look for all kinds of ways to beat the heat as the summer heat sets in, and it makes sense to park in a shady spot wherever possible, from parking decks to the shade of trees and buildings, parking spots away from the sun help you avoid the brunt of the heat, but parking in the shade isn’t always an option. That’s why it’s helpful to keep a sunshade in your car so that you can set it up in your windshield whenever you have to park in broad daylight.
Avoid a Hot Steering Wheel
Still, you might find yourself parking without coverage or a sunshade. This can lead to a steering wheel that’s too hot to touch by the time you return to your car. To avoid a blazing hot steering wheel, turn it 180 degrees so that the side you typically handle is turned down into the shade of your cabin. When you get back in, turn the wheel into the correct position to straighten out your tires, then you’re good to go with a cool steering wheel.
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Mike Shaw Toyota
If your vehicle needs maintenance this summer, schedule your service with Mike Shaw Toyota. The service team at Mike Shaw Toyota is capable of performing a number of services for your vehicle. Make sure your vehicle is ready for the hot season by taking it into Mike Shaw Toyota’s service team for routine maintenance.