As soon as winter ends, many people begin looking forward to summer and all of the fun trips they have lined up. Before packing the bags and hitting the road, though, it’s important to make sure your car is ready for the warm season. Taking care of these auto maintenance tasks in spring will ensure your car is ready for those summer road trips. 

How to Maintain Your Car When the Weather Warms Up

1. Get It Washed

Once winter ends, wash your vehicle at home or have it professionally cleaned. Driving on salt and sand covered roads during the cold months can cause your undercarriage to rust. Additionally, the salt can damage the paint job. An automatic car wash will do the trick.  

2. Check the Tire Pressure

Colder weather causes the tire pressure to drop, so in spring, check that they are properly inflated. Under-inflation shortens the life span of the car’s tires by causing increased friction and premature wear. If the pressure is low, fill the tires up immediately. 

3. Change the Oil

Regularly changing your oil is important year-round, but especially before a spring or summer road trip. Generally, the oil should be changed every 5,000 miles, as well as at the beginning and end of winter. During the cold season, engine oil breaks down and wears out quicker than usual due to the cold weather, decreasing its effectiveness. 

4. Run the Air Conditioning

You’re going to need your air conditioning to stay cool through the warm season, so test it out. Also, make sure it has enough freon to keep the car comfortable. Additionally, check for common issues, such as pungent odors, mechanical issues, a soiled condenser, or freon leaks. 

5. Flush the Cooling System

You should completely flush the cooling system every 24 months; however, when it’s time to do this auto maintenance task, do so during the warm season. Overheating is one of the biggest causes of breakdowns during the spring and summer because of the excess heat, so check your coolant levels and flush the system if you’re overdue.

 

When you need help with the above auto maintenance tasks, contact the professionals at Vito’s Auto Tech in New Haven County, CT. They have over 30 years of auto repair experience, and they can provide expert auto services to keep your vehicle running efficiently. Schedule an appointment today by calling them at (203) 755-0020, or visit them online to learn more about their auto maintenance services.