Summer is almost here, and it can also mean a sudden increase in car breakdowns. Heat can do a lot of bad things to your vehicle. It can deflate your tires, drain your battery fluids, and even mess up your AC. But you can avoid all these if you do these summer car maintenance tips from car dealerships near Rio Rancho, NM.
Start with the tires
Check your tires for post-winter wear. If the treads are already too shallow, it won’t take long before the roasting hot road bursts them. Rotate your tires if you think it can still last the season or replace them with summer or all-season tires. Summer tires have deeper grooves that allow them to have a better grip on wet and dry surfaces and even keep you stable in curves. Getting the pressure right is also important, so factor in deflation when pumping your tires.
Flush and refill the radiators
When the heat waves start, your car is going to need as much cooling as possible. Clean the radiator thoroughly to get rid of dust and grime that might prevent heat transfer. If you haven’t replaced the coolant in a while, now is the best time to do it. Old and slurry coolant cannot handle the radiator’s heat now amplified by the summer sun.
Fix that AC
You probably haven’t used your car’s AC since winter. But in summer, you’re going to need it day in and day out. Check if it cools your car’s interior as quickly as it should. If not, it could mean a few things. Maybe the filter is choking with dust and the cool air cannot pass through. Maybe the AC is running low on coolant. It would be best to replace the filter and replenish the tank with Freon.
Buy new brake pads
Like the tires, your car’s brakes wear out faster during summer. Heat speeds up the breakdown of any material, including your brake pads. If your brakes are already old, it might snap soon, which can be disastrous. Don’t risk an accident, and buy new brake pads. A Subaru dealer near Santa Fe, NM will recommend refilling the brake fluid as well.
Change the motor oil
Your car engine heats up as its components rub against each other. You put motor oil into it not just to lubricate the components but also to transfer the heat evenly, preventing the engine from overheating. Old motor oil is thick with debris and can no longer lubricate your engine efficiently. Before summer intensifies this heat, drain away the old oil, clean the engine well, and pour in new oil.
Clean your car
Ever felt hot and sticky after driving your Subaru near Rio Rancho, NM for too long? That’s probably because of the dust circulated inside your car through your AC. That’s a telltale sign that your car needs a deep clean. Throw out all the garbage, remove the floor mats and wash them outside, vacuum the floor and seats, and wash with a water-soap solution if vacuuming isn’t enough. A clean car interior feels more refreshing.
It’s quite easy to beat the heat if you know how to summer-proof your vehicle. As a bonus tip, avoid parking your car out in the open. Your car’s interior can quickly turn into an oven when left in the sun for hours, and it takes a lot of energy to cool it down. Check out your Fiesta Subaru car dealer in the Albuquerque, NM area for more advice.
