May 2015 28

Five Summer Car Care Tips From AAA

When most of us think of the summer we think of warm, sunny days, vacations and weekend getaways. While the warmer weather can be a welcome relief following the bitter cold of winter, it can also be just as damaging to your vehicle as the cold. Extreme heat can cause just as many issues for your car as the the extreme cold, which is why AAA has released a list five important tips to remember for driving in and caring for your vehicle during the summer.

1.) Check Your Battery: While most people think that the cold is your car battery’s worst enemy, the heat is actually much worse. For starters, heat and vibration can cause an internal breakdown in your battery which will eventually cause it to cease functioning. The best way to combat this is to make sure that the battery is securely in place in order to minimize vibrations. Additionally, the heat can cause the battery fluid to evaporate faster so you will want to check the fluid regularly to ensure that it is filled to the optimum level in order to avoid corrosion.

2.) Keep Your Engine Cool: The heat of the summer can take a toll on your engine since the outside temperature mixed with the heat of running the engine can cause it to become overheated easily. This is why it is especially important during the summer to make sure that your engine’s coolant system is working properly. It is good to have your coolant system flushed and replaced about every 50,000 miles to ensure that it is working at an optimum level. In-between flushes, however, make sure to check that the coolant fluid is at the proper level and inspect all of the system’s hoses and drive belts for any possible damage such as cracks or soft spots.

3.) Check Your Tires: During the summer it is important to ensure that your tires are inflated properly as the higher temperatures can cause underinflated tires to overheat faster, leading to a possible blowout. The problem is that during the summer you do not just have to combat the head in the air, but the heat from the road as well. Therefore, it is important to periodically check the air pressure level on your tires, especially if it has not been driven in a few days.

4.) Check Your Fluids: As with people, vehicles need more fluids during the warm weather. This is important during the summer because the fluids don’t just help to keep the vehicle lubricated but help to keep it cool as well. Therefore, it is important to check all of your vehicle fluids including power steering fluid, motor oil, brake fluid and transmission fluid and ensure that they are filled to the proper level.

5.) Keep Yourself Cool: One of the most important aspects in safe summer traveling is to make sure that you, as the driver, are cool and comfortable in order to keep you alert while on the road. The summer heat can cause drivers to become unfocused and increases the fatigue level. Therefore, you will want to have your vehicle’s air conditioning system checked out to make sure that it is working properly before heading off on any long road trips.

If you live near Schenectady, Albany, Glenville, Clifton Park or Johnstown, NY be sure to stop into Mohawk Auto Center, located at 756 State St in Schenectady, NY for all of your summer maintenance needs!

Original Source: http://ww1.texas.aaa.com/en-tx/buy-maintain-vehicles/vehicle-maintenance/Pages/car-care-tips.aspx