Summertime Car Maintenance Checklist

Summer is in full swing, and most of us are preparing for our annual camping, hiking, and fishing trips. While you may be busy packing all your gear for your summertime adventures, remember to schedule time for some car maintenance. All the camping equipment in the world won’t save you from a flat tire or dead battery. Grab your vehicle owner’s manual and check the car maintenance service intervals for the braking system, tire care, and auto fluids service. Schedule the service checks you can’t do yourself with your local auto service center, and download this handy checklist to take care of the rest. Now get busy, and don’t forget to pack the sunscreen!

Take Care Of Your Car Maintenance This Summer

Automobiles require regular maintenance to keep them in tip-top shape. Before heading out this summer and battling the traffic, heat, and long distances on the road, take care of your car’s needs. Performing routine car maintenance will keep you and your family safe and comfortable while getting you to your destination.

Check Vital Auto Fluids

The various systems and mechanical components rely on adequate levels of auto fluids to function correctly. Most of these fluids you can check yourself. Your owner’s manual has information on locating, inspecting, and refilling the vital auto fluids in your car. Always use the factory-recommended auto fluid types and brands (some warranties are voided if you use the wrong one). Use the handy checklist above to write down any fluid you need to purchase. Be sure to check the following:

• Brake Fluid
• Coolant (antifreeze and distilled water)
• Power Steering Fluid
• Transmission Fluid

Oil Change + New Oil Filter

Unless you’ve just had an oil change service, it’s wise to schedule one before a long road trip. Fresh oil and a new oil filter provide your car with excellent protection, especially when towing a load (boat, trailer, etc.) or even with a fully packed interior in the summertime heat.

Tire Care

Hot road surfaces can quickly wear out older or worn tires. NHTSA states, “Sustained high temperature (for example, driving long distances in hot weather) can cause a tire to deteriorate, leading to blowouts and tread separation.” Tire care is one of those really important car maintenance duties to accomplish this summer. If you still need a quality tire air-pressure gauge, pick one up to regularly monitor your tire’s air pressure. For the other tire care suggestions, schedule a tire service and have your technician thoroughly inspect your tires – including the spare! 

• Tire Pressure: Like Goldilocks: not too much, not too little, you want the psi to be just right.

• Tire Tread: Use the penny test or a gauge for tread depth and inspect for excess wear.

• Tire Rotation: Follow the factory-recommended service interval unless there is uneven tread wear.

• Wheel Alignment: Follow the factory-recommended service interval unless you experience signs of misalignment.

• Wheel Balancing

Air Filters

You and your vehicle need fresh air to function. Air filters are auto components that are easy to replace and relatively inexpensive. Yet, the impact of clean filters can be impressive.

• Cabin Air Filter: The cabin air filter works with the HVAC system and keeps the air inside the car from contaminants and pollutants.
• Engine Air Filter: The engine air filter provides adequate amounts of clean air for combustion. When clogged or damaged, your engine may not perform as intended.

Battery Care

High temperatures can be hard on auto batteries, especially when plugging in a lot of electronic devices during a long road trip. Before you go, make sure to do a little car battery maintenance, including:

• Check Charge
• Clean Corrosion
• Inspect Connections
• Tighten Mounting Strap

Car Braking System

Your braking system is one of your car’s most important safety features. Don’t assume your brakes are ‘fine’ because your car still stops when you engage the brake pedal. Slow changes over time can be difficult to notice because people tend to adjust their expectations. Sudden changes are much easier to recognize. For example, your brakes abruptly start screeching, or it suddenly takes longer to stop at higher speeds.

• Verify Routine Maintenance Interval: If you are close to your next braking system service, go ahead and schedule it.
• Inspect Brake Pads, Rotors, Calipers, Drums: If you recently had braking system service, do a quick visual inspection for glaring issues like significant rust or debris build-up, damaged parts, or leaking fluids.

Visual & Safety Features

While on the road, you want to see and be seen by other motorists. The following visual and safety features deserve a quick inspection so you can fix anything before you leave. Bonus points if your repairs mean you won’t get ticketed for inoperable brake lights while out of state.

Lighting

It is critical to have great visibility while driving at night, in the fog, or during a summer rain storm—especially if you are traveling on back roads or unlit highways. Grab a buddy and test all the lights (while parked) after the sun goes down. If something doesn’t work, check your owner’s manual for fuse locations and replacement bulb info.

• Headlamps: High & low beams, fog lights, running lights (depending on your vehicle)
• Brake lights: Don’t forget the third brake light (if your car has one)
• Turn indicators: Check both the front and back blinkers
• Interior cabin lights: Different vehicles have different interior lighting setups, so check what you have. Include the overhead dome(s), door lights, glove box light, and trunk light (if applicable)

Windshield Wipers

After a long winter of rain, snow, and freezing temperatures, your vehicle’s wipers are probably ready for replacement. Give them a test run on a wet windshield.

• Windshield wiper blades: Streaking, scraping, skipping, or missing sections of the window are all signs that you need to buy and install new wipers.

• Windshield wiper fluid: Top off the wiper fluid reservoir to ensure you have plenty of ammunition to remove copious amounts of bug juice from your windshield (it is a historic cicada season, after all)

Car Wash & Wax

A clean car sheds road grime better than a dirty one. Even if you just do a drive-through car wash, spring for the extra undercarriage and wheels package to really knock off any accumulated dirt, grease, and other substances. Then, wipe the interior down, vacuum the fast food crumbs from under the seat, and throw out the trash stuffed into the door pockets and center console. Trust me, you’ll feel better afterward.

• Wash & wax exterior

• Clean and organize interior

• Clean windows (inside and out)

• Mirrors (rearview and side)

Emergency Kit

Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” At least in this case, I think I like mine better, “The best way to avoid an emergency is to be prepared for one.” If you don’t have an emergency kit in your car, consider getting one. They are available pre-made online, or you can put one together yourself for your specific needs. 

It should include:

• Basic tools for auto repair: Jack, battery charger, multi-tool, flat tire pump or aerosol can

• Basic safety equipment: Flashlight, reflector cone, flares, safety vest or poncho, phone charger, compass, paper map (if you’re out of cell service range)

• Basic medical supplies: First aid kit, towel, space blanket, medication, spare eyeglasses

• Food & water for all occupants for 2-3 days (don’t forget pets!)

Car Maintenance, Service, Repairs

Fisher’s Auto Service offers a full complement of preventive auto services to help keep your car running at peak performance. We want to be your comprehensive routine car maintenance partner in Kirkland, WA. Before you leave on your summertime road trip, our service technicians will quickly inspect your braking system, perform tire care, and top off your auto fluids.

Schedule A Car Maintenance Appointment in Kirkland, WA

Call us at (425) 441-3327 or visit us online to schedule your next service appointment.