In the same way that winterizing your vehicle is recommended, so too is prepping it for the summer. While we rarely experience huge variations in weather living in coastal BC, some of the basics in maintenance are nevertheless necessary. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
1. Check Your Tires
If you had snow tires on for winter travel, don’t forget to switch them out to summer or all-season tires. Check the tread on both sets of tires, as well as your spare. Made of a softer and more flexible rubber, winter tires wear more quickly if you’ve been driving with them in the warmer months. Tire pressure is also key to safety and efficiency as the temperatures change, so check your user manual for the appropriate tire pressure at different temperatures.
2. Change Your Wiper Blades
When was the last time you changed your wiper blades? Probably when you were winterizing your vehicle! It is generally recommended to change your wiper blades every 6 months, or when you see streaking or hear squeaking.
3. Test Your A/C
There is nothing worse than getting into a hot car and finding your air-conditioning not working. Proper venting is important not only for comfort, but also for safety. If your A/C is not cooling or if there are strange smells or sounds coming from it, take it to a mechanic to be serviced.
4. Time For a Service
Speaking of mechanics, perhaps it’s time for your vehicle to be serviced. A licensed mechanic will inspect your vehicle to ensure that it is road safe. He should make recommendations on repairs that need done.
5. Check Your Fluids
Checking and changing the various fluids in your vehicle is an important part of vehicle maintenance. An oil change might be on the agenda, as well as a top up of the coolant. How about the transmission fluid and the windshield washer fluid?
6. Check Your Brakes
Driving in a city means more wear on brakes because of the frequent starting and stopping nature of city traffic. Similarly, winter driving is also slower with more braking when driving. Checking your brakes is a must, especially if a road trip is in your summer plans.
7. Time For a Wash
When washing your car, don’t miss cleaning the undercarriage. Salt from the roads in the winter can be very corrosive, causing increased deterioration and damage. Thoroughly wash the salt, mud, and other debris off with water.
8. Check Your Emergency Supplies and Add Some Extra
Round off your summer prep with a quick check of your emergency gear. Top up with anything that might have been used up, such as water and snacks. And as it’s the summer, you might like to add a picnic blanket and towels for an impromptu stop in your journeys ahead!
