Nothing's better than getting behind the wheel and taking to the open road on a summer afternoon. But the heat of summer can take its toll on certain car parts, so it's important to carry out proper summer car maintenance for summer. Here are the main car maintenance services you should have done at your local dealership this year. Check Your Air Conditioner During summer, the most important car part for your driving comfort is the air conditioner. You may not have used your ac since the previous summer, so test it out to make sure it's working well. Sometimes the air conditioner's condenser positioned at the front of the radiator can get damaged over winter. Seals in the system can also dry out while not in use, causing refrigerant leaks that will need to be fixed. more Refresh Your Engine Oil It's a good idea to have your oil changed, and the oil filter cleaned or replaced as well before summer. As the temperature rises, your engine will be at greater risk of overheating, and fresh, clean engine oil is one of the best defenses against overheating, alongside the cooling system. Engine oil can also thin slightly in the heat of summer, which may slightly reduce its proper functioning. This makes it even more important to ensure your oil is fresh, high quality, and fully topped up. Test Your Cooling System Your car's cooling system also needs to be ready to handle the heat this summer. Have a technician pressure test all the components, top up the coolant, and make sure the whole system is working well. Test Your Battery's Strength Most drivers run additional electronic car accessories during summer, with the power windows, sunroof, fans, and air conditioner going at full blast. Handling the extra voltage means your car battery will need to be in good condition. Following the chilly months of winter, you should make sure that your battery hasn't been damaged by the cold. Install a New Air Filter The engine's air filter is about to be challenged by dusty summer air that's also filled with insects. As air filters should generally be changed once a year, the start of summer is usually a good time to get a new one. Check Your Tire Pressure As temperatures rise, so does tire pressure as the air inside each tire expands. For every additional five degrees Fahrenheit, your tires will gain one extra pound per square inch of pressure. This puts your tires at greater risk of being damaged and blowing out. Overinflated tires also put more weight on the central point of tire treads, which wears treads down faster and puts you at risk of skids. Have a technician check your tires carefully to make sure they're structurally sound. Also, check your tire pressure diligently once or twice a month as summer comes on. You may need to let a little air out to compensate for the increasing pressure. Schedule Your Vehicle Summer Maintenance in Silver Spring, MD! Have your car properly prepared for summer at DARCARS Toyota of Silver Spring. We're your local Toyota car dealership with a broad range of top-notch new Toyota vehicles and courteous, highly trained staff.
