How to "Summerize" your car

                                                 

Summerizing your car is a great way to be sure that it's ready to face the challenges of driving in the hot summer sun - and here are some things you can do!

Check the Engine

Having your engine tuned up just before the start of summer is a good plan - especially if you're like most people and tend to turn on the air conditioning at full blast. A tune-up will ensure that your engine is running properly throughout the season, which means the inside will cool down faster and the engine itself can run at a much safer operating temperature.

Check the Hoses and Belts

High temperatures can place some significant stress on the hoses and belts that help to keep your vehicle running, and a problem with any of them can stop your vehicle in its tracks. Check your hoses and belts on a regular basis, searching for signs of wear and tear. If they look like they're going to rip apart soon, replace them as quickly as you can. If you don't do anything else to summerize your car, do this - it's easily the most important part of preparing your vehicle for a new season.

Check the Antifreeze

Yes, really. Antifreeze is an incredible boon for many vehicles, and it's just as important in the summer as it is during the winter. By raising the boiling temperature of water, your antifreeze will help stop your engine from overheating. Check the current level of antifreeze in the tank and fill it up to the top - when you've done this, your engine should be more than ready to handle the heat.

Check the Transmission

Most people don't check the transmission when they want to summerize their vehicle, but they should - high temperatures can do very bad things to transmission systems, especially over long-distance trips. Be sure that these parts are functioning properly and that all of the fluid is where it should be. Refill it if you need to.

Getting Professional Help

Summerizing your car isn't very difficult, but if you're not mechanically inclined, you could still do serious damage to your vehicle. If you'd rather not take that risk, contact our service department and ask for some help with preparing your vehicle for the season. It won't take very long for our team of factory-trained technicians to review your vehicle and make sure everything is working in good order. You'll be able to rest easy in the knowledge that every important component has been examined by a professional.

Doing It Yourself

If you're confident enough to do things on your own, that's great! We like when you come in but, let's face it, many people want to minimize the number of appointments they need. If that's the case, we'd just like to leave you with a little more advice to help you get through the process of summerizing your car.

First, use high-quality products that have a reputation for being clean and reliable. This will help avoid getting contaminants inside the engine that could sharply reduce performance - possibly even enough to damage the car.

Second, try to be consistent with the fluids you put in. Avoid mixing chemicals, even if you think they are swappable - unexpected reactions could occur. For example, if you can't find your old antifreeze anymore, then completely empty the chamber before refilling it with a new fluid.

Finally, err on the side of caution. It's better to replace a part earlier than necessary than to wait until it's too late and the car is damaged.