End of Summer Car Care Tips

If you’re like most auto owners, summer puts you in the car more than any other season because of vacations and traveling. After putting additional significant mileage on your car throughout the summer, it is important to take some proactive steps to keep your car in optimal condition to avoid car repairs.

5 Summer Car Care Tips

Inspect Your Tires

You should be checking your tire pressure on a monthly basis. But if you forget, like most people, the end of summer is a great time for one check. Tire pressure is key to helping your car maintain traction on the road. It also has a major impact on fuel economy. After putting extra mileage on those tires during the summer, it is even more crucial to check the tire pressure.
Examine the Battery
Summer is one of the most common times for car owners to experience battery issues. The summer heat can cause your battery’s fluid to evaporate faster. Without fluid, your battery may be unable to hold a charge. Check your battery (or have it checked by a car service team) for fluid levels, leaks, or cracks as well as any problems from corrosion or rust.
Check the Cooling System
In addition to the toll the heat can take on your battery fluid, the summer sun can also drastically reduce the amount of coolant in your system. Coolant is necessary for keeping your radiator functioning properly.
Clean Your Car
Getting the car cleaned can feel like a luxury instead of a must-do. And while that may be true for the interior, there are some important benefits to cleaning the outside. One of the main spots to clean is the undercarriage. If dirt, grime or sand has built up under your car, these caked-on substances can cause your transmission or engine to overheat. Clean your car often to protect it from these types of issues (and keep it looking great!)
Inspect Your Paint
Once your exterior is clean, inspect your car paint. In addition to looking nice, your car paint protects your car from corrosion. The summer heat can cause cracks or other damage to the paint – and the cooler months can make that slight damage worse. Especially if you have a luxury car such as a BMW, Mercedes or Porsche where the aesthetic of your car is key, make inspecting your paint a priority at the end of the summer.

Just like a spring-cleaning list, consider making a car maintenance list for each season. Doing these, and other seasonal car care tasks can extend the life of your vehicle.