BAY CITY, Mich. - With Friday being the official first day of summer, Americans all over the country will be hopping in their car to travel for vacation. Whether you're traveling across the state or across the country, it's important to know specific car tips for a safe summer.
Safety tips are not only to ensure you practice safe driving, but for the actual maintenance of your vehicle as well. The summer heat can be particularly harsh on a vehicle, much like the winter's freeze, so it's important to know what to expect when you're in your car and on the road.
Before we cover these car tips for a safe summer, you should know that it's important to have your car regularly maintained. Maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations, etc. do a lot for your car, and can give you peace of mind that you're driving a vehicle that is running at peak performance. If you aren't one to get your vehicle regularly checked, or you don't recall the last time you stopped in at Brighton Ford, check out these car tips to ensure that your vehicle is ready for the summer:
Tires
Checking your tires regularly is very important, as you don't want a frightening blowout to make you aware of your tire's state. So check your tire's pressure at least once a month (along with your spare) just to make sure that you're not losing air. Also, check to make sure that your tires aren't showing signs of irregular or excessive wear. Ideally, you want to make sure that your tires are all wearing evenly and maintain the correct air pressure. Having your tires fully inflated improves your gas mileage along as ensuring you won't have a flat - consider the fuel efficiency a bonus!
Belts and Hoses
The high temperatures that accompany summer can be especially hard on your belts and hoses. As a lot of the belts and hoses are rubber, the excessive heat can cause them to crack, blister, or break all together. So make sure to check your belts and hoses, just to ensure that they won't break when you're actually driving. If you're unsure about what to look for, stop in at Hank Graff and we can look it over for you.
Coolant Levels
If you're driving in the car for any amount of time, you definitely want to eliminate the possibility of your engine overheating. By checking your coolant levels and making sure that they are at the proper level, you shouldn't encounter any problems.
Air Conditioning
While we're on the subject of overheating, it's important to think about yourself! On a really hot day, it can be potentially hazardous to be driving in a car without air conditioning - especially if you are a child, or a senior. So check your AC performance now, and make sure that you're driving in a cool vehicle on a hot summer day.
Fluid Levels
We discussed checking your coolant levels, but you're going to want to be aware of the oil, brake, transmission, power steering and windshield fluids as well. Check all the fluid levels and top off any that seem to be getting a little low. If it's time for an oil change, now is the time to stop in.
By regularly looking over your vehicle and following the above-mentioned car tips, you're extending the life of your vehicle and minimizing any problems you may encounter on the road.
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