summer maintenance car

The Top 5 Summer Maintenance Tips

We’ve enjoyed a string of warm weather this past week, I think it is safe to say that summer is just around the corner! Whether you’re cleaning up your vehicle for summer or pulling the winter cover off your convertible, it’s time to prep your car for the desert heat.

We’ve compiled a list of summer maintenance essentials to keep you on the road, travelling the Okanagan Valley soaking up those summer rays:

Check your tire pressure.

Underinflated, overinflated, worn or misaligned tires can impact the way your car handles in the summer heat. For example, each 10 degree increase in temperature results in an increase of 1 – 2 PSI. A good tip is to have a tire pressure gauge in your car at all times so you can beat the heat.

Check your oil and get it changed.

Oil is the lifeblood of your engine, so you definitely don’t want to ignore this one. As a general rule of thumb, it’s always best to get a fresh oil change heading into the summer months to ensure your engine is running smoothly.

Check your air filter.

A dirty air filter can decrease your fuel consumption significantly. Most air filters collect a lot of dirt over the winter – salt, sand, etc. Take a quick moment and check your air filter and ensure you’re not spending more at the pump than you should. If it’s noticeably dirty, it’s time to change it!

Replace your windshield wipers.

Snow, ice and hail can really damage your windshield wipers. Before you get stuck in a rainstorm, test your wipers to ensure they don’t streak. If they do, get them changed. It’s an easy fix that should last you the whole summer.

Measure the coolant.

This is an easy one to overlook after a long cold winter but one that can’t be forgotten. It’s not uncommon in hot weather for engines to overheat at low speeds. Without air passing through to help cool your engine down, you’re relying 100% on the coolant. The solution, check your coolant before you get stuck in the heat.

Follow these 5 summer maintenance tips and you will be well on your way to making your car road ready. If you’re unsure how to complete any of these steps, book an appointment, come on by the shop and we’ll ensure your car is set for summer. Looking forward to another beautiful summer in Kelowna!