How to Get Your Car Ready for Summer

Summer is finally here. The kids are out of school and the beach is calling your name. This means that it’s time to go away for a summer vacation and your car should be ready to go. The car might not have taken a long trip in awhile and there aren’t many things worse than breaking down on the side of the highway on the way to your vacation destination in 95 degree heat and waiting hours for assistance.

Here are some tips to get your car ready for summer fun:

Check Your LiquidsBefore hitting the road, be sure to check the oil, and the wiper, radiator, break, transmission, and power steering fluids. Summer heat can minimize the effectiveness of thin oil, so it’s a smart idea to get an oil change and use oil that is thicker and has a higher viscosity. Cars that aren’t ready for the sweltering days of summer can easily overheat, which can cause extensive damage. Always make sure that the radiator is full with a 50/50 coolant and water mix.

Remove Snow TiresThis may seem obvious, but some people forget or don’t want to worry about the hassle. Snow tires were built to perform during the wet, winter months and you don’t want to wear them out during the summer. It’s a good idea to have 2 sets of tires: snow tires and all season tires.

Check the BatteryWas the car just sitting for long periods of time throughout the winter? Bring it in to a shop to get tested or test it yourself if you have the equipment to do so. Heat can put an additional strain on the battery and they sometimes don’t perform as well as they should in the summer.

Prepare an Emergency KitNo matter how prepared you are, accidents and breakdowns happen. Always have a first aid kit, a flashlight, jumper cables, towels, gloves, extra fluids, and reflectors and flares in the car. Don’t forget to charge your cell phone before leaving on a long trip.

Following these tips can help to ensure that your summer travels are worry free and that your only concern is a little bit of sand on the car floor!

About the Author:

Karboodle is a website designed to provide car owners with maintenance information and help them locate auto body shops. For more information please visit http://karboodle.com.