The Best 5 Vehicle Maintenance Tips for Summer Vacation

Summer season. A great time to head to the beach or go camping in the woods. However, before you take advantage of that wonderful summer weather, you need to make sure your car is in good shape. After all, you don’t want your vacation plans interrupted by a breakdown, do you?

By following these simple summer vehicle maintenance tips, you can avoid costly car repairs!

Check Your Tires

Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that’s actually in contact with the road, so it makes sense to keep them in the best possible condition. Under- or over-inflated tires are dangerous and can cause excessive tread wear.

To ensure correct tire inflation, check your tires monthly and set the pressure according to the placard on the driver’s door jamb.

Make sure you have at least 3 mm of tire tread remaining (have a mechanic check if you’re not sure). If the tread depth is below 3 mm, your tires need to be replaced.

Fix the Check Engine Light

The most common problem you might run into is an illuminated Check Engine light. It tells you your car isn’t quite right in some way, but it doesn’t always point to exactly what the mechanical issue is.

Avoid the urge to ignore your Check Engine light. Even if the issue is as minor as a loose gas cap, it could turn into a major problem that costs quite a lot if not addressed quickly, or worse, leaves you stranded.

Change the Engine Oil

Engine oil is your car’s lifeblood. It serves many purposes, such as cooling your engine, lubricating internal components, and preventing corrosion inside your engine. If your oil is low or dirty and you ignore it, you could find yourself stuck on the side of the road with the hood up, waiting for a tow.

While summer is a great time to do this, your engine oil should be changed regularly according to your manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. While you’re at it, check your transmission fluid, engine coolant, and other fluids.

Keep Your Car Clean

A clean car comes with a sense of pride, but there’s more to it than that. Keeping your car clean can help prevent premature corrosion and hidden damage that can shorten your vehicle’s lifespan.

If possible, wash the outside of your car weekly, scrubbing from top to bottom and rinsing thoroughly. This removes road grime, tree sap, and tar that build up on the paint and glass.

Clean the interior once a month, including a thorough vacuum, window cleaning, and wiping the interior down with a damp cloth.

A dirty interior can increase wear, and dust can cause electrical components to malfunction or stick.

Get a Complete Vehicle Inspection

Schedule a general vehicle inspection before setting off on a summer trip. Have a certified mechanic check all mechanical and electrical systems to make sure they’re working properly.

Have your battery and charging system tested, have all fluids, brakes, and lubrication points checked, and have the steering and suspension components inspected.

If any issues are found, address them right away, since this can prevent a costly and inconvenient situation like much higher mechanical costs or a breakdown.

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