Tips for Preparing Your Car for the Summer

Summer is quickly approaching, which means you'll be using the air conditioning system in your car more frequently. Running the air conditioning system puts a strain on your car's engine, which affects fuel economy and performance. Make sure you're ready for the summer heat by performing basic maintenance on your car to get the most performance out of it. Don't get caught unprepared, as there can be consequences, like overheating, loss of power, and decreased efficiency. Here are some tips on preparing your car for the hot summer months.

Think of engine oil as the blood that runs through the heart of your car. Clean oil helps keep your engine healthy, and with the amount of stress that the summer heat and using the air conditioning puts on your car's engine, you'll want to always make sure your oil is fresh and at the appropriate level. How many miles have you driven since your last oil change? An oil change goes a long way to protecting your engine from damage. Checking the dipstick is the first step to ensuring when you need to get an oil change. You may opt to have someone else do your oil change, but DIY oil changes are simple enough to do at home.   

The cooling system is a vital component to maintaining the optimal operating temperature of your car's engine. The radiator and the hoses that circulate the coolant through the engine have a tendency to crack over time, leading to potential coolant leaks, which can cause your engine to overheat. Overheating is especially frequent in the summer because a faulty cooling system can't cool the engine enough and has to work harder to provide you with cold air inside the car. 

To get the best performance and fuel economy from your car, make sure your tires are properly inflated. Running your car's air conditioning will decrease your fuel economy, but don't let improperly inflated tires decrease your miles per gallon even more. Check your tire pressure when you fill up your tank, and you won't have to worry about even worse fuel efficiency when running the air conditioning. 

The air filter keeps dirt and dust from blowing through the vents into your car. If you haven't taken a look at your air filter lately, it is probably clogged or covered in dust. A dirty air filter reduces your car's performance by reducing airflow to the engine, may blow smelly air inside your car, and can diminish the efficiency of your air conditioning system. Air filters are inexpensive and easy to replace at home.

Get your car serviced before summer and be prepared for the heat. Bring your car into the Service Department at Yark Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Toledo, OH to have your car ready for the summer heat. Schedule a service appointment today!