While you are excited with the summer sun and the long drives, your car might be dreading it. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. That’s why we have created this list of summer car care tips for car owners both old and new. These tips might not be applicable for all types of cars, but you might pick a thing or two. Read on to learn our top five summertime car maintenance tips.

Summer Car Care Tips

1. Have your AC checked

Hot weather means more stress on your car’s AC system. So this should be an essential part of your summer car care routine. Make sure everything is working as intended so you won’t have surprise breakdowns while on the road on a hot day.

You might also want to see if the freon levels in your car AC system is still in acceptable levels if you want to survive the summer’s scorching heat you need to have your freon topped off. If everything is working fine, have your mechanics do a thorough cleaning of your AC. This will remove any dust buildup that might cause the AC to not blow as much as it is supposed to.

2. Mind the engine temperature

Summer days can get pretty hot and this makes the engine temp go even higher. An overheating engine is one sure way to take the fun out of your summer plans. In order to help your engine cool off, you might want to choose the best kind of coolant for your car’s radiator.

Coolant is a specialized liquid that excels in absorbing the heat generated from your engine (with the help of the car’s engine cooling system) and dissipating it. Make sure you check the coolant levels on your car’s radiator at least once a week to make sure it is topped off.

3. Have an oil change

Sure, you’ve had your oil change a few months ago and it’s not really time to do an oil change but you should still do it if you love your car. This is especially true when you are planning on a number of road trips during the summertime.

Not only will an oil change ensure your car is in tip-top shape, but this also allows you to change the oil in your engine to be more suited for the hot weather. After all, the type of oil you put in your car can help cool it down when needed. If you are not sure about this, you can check your car’s manual to see a special summer schedule for maintenance.

4. Check your fluids

As in any pre-road trip maintenance, you should go and make sure your car’s fluids (brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluids, and coolant as mentioned above) are topped off. Seasoned drivers know that missing this simple check can spell disaster especially when you are going on a longer than usual road trip. Also, check your trunk to make sure you bring extra in case you need to top off along the way.

5. Make sure your tires are still up for the job

The last thing you need for a road trip is having your tire blown because you forgot to check it. Summertime is the time for the triple check – tread, air, and spare. First, make sure the treads on your car tires are still healthy. Next, make sure it has enough air before you drive off.

Lastly, check your spare to make sure the treads are still acceptable and it has enough air. Your spare should be usable when you need it (which is usually an emergency), so better to check it before you stash it.

Bring Your Car to T3 Atlanta for Your Summer Car Care

If you plan on a number of road trips for the summer, it might be a good idea to go and have T3 Atlanta check your car first. Our mechanics can do a comprehensive maintenance check on your car to make sure you won’t have to worry about your car all summer. Call us today and let’s pencil your car in for a thorough check.