After you finish spring cleaning for your house or property, go ahead and extend those efforts to your vehicle. Between recovering from the harsh treatment of Wisconsin winters and preparing for the toll of summer heat, this is a great time to give your car a little TLC.
Summer Car Maintenance Checklist
The tips below are here to help your car make a safe and smooth transition from out of the cold and into the heat. Address the following areas of your car before hitting the road this summer.
Fluids
Your antifreeze is hard at work in the winter keeping your engine parts from freezing. And in the summer, the coolant is put to the test to keep your air conditioner running and your car from overheating. Be sure to top off your radiator fluid to keep you — and your vehicle — at a comfortable temperature.
Tire Pressure
Tires tend to lose a bit of pressure in the winter as the cold causes the air to contract. In the summer, that air then expands and can cause an over-inflated tire that is prone to a blowout. Check your tire pressure when the outside air begins heating up to make sure your tires are properly inflated and consider having your tires rotated to reduce the chances of a flat.
Wiper Blades
Wiper blades can get worn out in the winter when they’re busy scraping away sleet and ice. Then, they are ill-prepared for those spring showers and summer rainstorms. Spring is a great time to make this inexpensive replacement.
Body
Spring brings pollen, which means dusty yellow cars. Wash the pollen off immediately as leaving it on can cause damage to your paint job. Then, apply a fresh coat of wax to help the body of your car prepare for the summer sun.
Engine
Motor oil thickens up in the cold and fails to lube your engine parts as efficiently as it should. You’re probably due for an oil change that will clear out any contaminants that have built up over the winter.
Safety
Before embarking on any warm-weather road trips, test out all of your car’s safety systems to make sure they are all in proper working condition.
Interior
For whatever reason, we tend to accumulate more clutter in our car during the winter. Plus, moisture and mud gets tracked into the interior from the outside. Remove the winter clutter and give your seats and floors a thorough vacuuming.
Schedule Summer Service in Madison, WI
Of course, you don’t have to do all the work yourself. The service team at Zimbrick Automotive is here to help you change your oil, replace your wiper blades, rotate your tires, and more. And be sure to check out our service specials to see how you can save on your next visit to one of our locations.
Connect with us
