Car Care Tips

Beat the Heat with These Summer Maintenance Tips

• Check your cooling system: Ensure your coolant is at the proper level and concentration to prevent overheating.
• Inspect air conditioning: Have your A/C system checked before temperatures soar to ensure it's working efficiently.
• Check tire pressure: Heat causes air pressure in tires to expand. Check pressure when tires are cold for accurate readings.
• Replace wiper blades: Summer storms can be intense. Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition.
• Check battery: Heat accelerates battery fluid evaporation and internal damage. Have your battery tested if it's more than 3 years old.
• Protect your interior: Use sunshades and consider window tinting to prevent dashboard cracking and interior fading.

Prepare Your Vehicle for Cold Weather

• Check your battery: Cold weather reduces battery power. Have your battery tested and replaced if necessary.
• Switch to winter tires: If you live in an area with heavy snow, consider switching to winter tires for better traction.
• Check antifreeze levels: Ensure you have the proper coolant mix to prevent freezing in cold temperatures.
• Inspect your heater and defroster: Make sure they're working properly before the cold sets in.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full: This prevents gas line freeze-up and ensures you have fuel in case of emergency.
• Pack an emergency kit: Include blankets, flashlight, ice scraper, small shovel, and other winter emergency items.

Transitional Season Vehicle Care

• Check and replace wiper blades: Spring rain and fall leaves require good visibility.
• Inspect tires: Check tread depth and consider rotating your tires as seasons change.
• Clean undercarriage: Remove salt residue (spring) or prepare for winter salt (fall).
• Check belts and hoses: Extreme temperature changes can cause rubber components to crack or become brittle.
• Test your brakes: Ensure they're in good condition before wet or icy conditions arrive.
• Change your oil: Consider switching between summer and winter oil weights if recommended for your vehicle.

Keep Your Vehicle's Fluids in Check

• Engine oil: Check monthly and change according to your owner's manual (typically every 3,000-7,500 miles).
• Transmission fluid: Check every 3 months and change every 30,000-60,000 miles.
• Brake fluid: Check every 6 months and change every 2 years or as recommended.
• Power steering fluid: Check monthly and top off as needed.
• Coolant/antifreeze: Check seasonally and flush/replace every 2-5 years.
• Windshield washer fluid: Top off monthly or as needed.

Extend Your Battery Life

• Regular testing: Have your battery tested every 6 months, especially before extreme temperature seasons.
• Clean connections: Keep battery terminals clean from corrosion using a wire brush and baking soda solution.
• Secure mounting: Ensure your battery is securely mounted to prevent vibration damage.
• Limit short trips: Short trips don't allow the battery to fully recharge. Take longer drives occasionally.
• Turn off electronics: Turn off lights, radio, and A/C before turning off the engine to reduce initial load on next start.
• Consider a battery tender: If your vehicle sits unused for extended periods, use a battery tender to maintain charge.

Simple Changes to Improve Fuel Economy

• Avoid aggressive driving: Rapid acceleration and braking can lower fuel economy by up to 33% on highways.
• Observe speed limits: Fuel economy typically decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 mph.
• Remove excess weight: An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle can reduce MPG by about 1%.
• Use cruise control: Maintaining a constant speed on highways improves fuel efficiency.
• Combine errands: Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one longer trip.
• Avoid excessive idling: Turn off your engine when parked for more than 30 seconds.

Keep Your Vehicle Tuned for Optimal Performance

• Regular tune-ups: Fixing a serious maintenance problem can improve fuel economy by up to 40%.
• Proper tire inflation: Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by about 0.2% for every 1 PSI drop.
• Use recommended motor oil: Using the manufacturer's recommended grade can improve fuel economy by 1-2%.
• Replace air filters: A clean air filter can improve acceleration time and fuel economy.
• Check for engine issues: A faulty oxygen sensor can reduce fuel economy by up to 40%.
• Properly aligned wheels: Misaligned wheels drag and reduce fuel efficiency.

The Importance of Proper Inflation

• Check pressure monthly: Tires naturally lose about 1 PSI per month and 1 PSI for every 10°F drop in temperature.
• Use the recommended pressure: Find this on the driver's door jamb sticker, not the tire sidewall.
• Check when cold: Measure tire pressure before driving or at least 3 hours after parking.
• Don't forget the spare: Check your spare tire's pressure regularly too.
• Benefits of proper inflation: Improves fuel economy, extends tire life, enhances handling, and increases safety.
• Visual inspection: Bulges, cracks, or objects embedded in tires should be checked by a professional.

Maximize Tire Life with Regular Service

• Rotate every 5,000-8,000 miles: This ensures even wear across all tires.
• Alignment check annually: Or whenever you notice pulling to one side or uneven tire wear.
• Balance when needed: If you feel vibration at certain speeds, your tires may need balancing.
• Check tread depth: Use the penny test - insert a penny with Lincoln's head upside down. If you can see the top of his head, it's time for new tires.
• Watch for wear patterns: Different wear patterns indicate different issues - center wear (over-inflation), edge wear (under-inflation), or one-sided wear (alignment issues).

Monthly Vehicle Check-Up

• Check all lights: Headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and interior lights.
• Inspect wiper blades: Replace if they streak or skip.
• Check tire pressure and tread: Use a quality pressure gauge and the penny test.
• Look under the vehicle: Check for fluid leaks on your driveway or parking spot.
• Test the battery: Many auto parts stores will test your battery for free.
• Check belts and hoses: Look for cracks, fraying, or softness in the rubber.

Keep Your Vehicle Looking Its Best

• Wash regularly: Every two weeks to remove dirt, salt, and contaminants that can damage paint.
• Wax quarterly: Provides a protective layer against environmental damage.
• Clean the interior: Vacuum regularly and use appropriate cleaners for different surfaces.
• Protect dashboard: Use UV protectant to prevent cracking and fading.
• Clean air vents: Use a small brush or compressed air to remove dust from vents.
• Treat leather: Clean and condition leather seats every 3-6 months to prevent cracking.

Items Every Driver Should Keep in Their Vehicle

• Basic tools: Screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, and duct tape.
• Jumper cables or portable jump starter: To restart your battery in case of failure.
• Flashlight and extra batteries: Essential for nighttime emergencies.
• First aid kit: For minor injuries until professional help arrives.
• Reflective warning triangles or flares: To alert other drivers if you're stopped on the roadside.
• Blanket and warm clothes: In case you're stranded in cold weather.
• Non-perishable snacks and water: To sustain you during extended waits for assistance.
• Portable phone charger: To ensure you can call for help.

Steps to Take During a Roadside Emergency

1. Get to safety: Pull as far off the road as possible. On highways, exit if you can, even on a flat tire.
2. Make your vehicle visible: Turn on hazard lights and set up reflective triangles or flares if safe to do so.
3. Stay with your vehicle: Unless it's unsafe, remain in your vehicle with doors locked.
4. Call for help: Contact roadside assistance, a trusted mechanic, or emergency services.
5. Communicate your location: Note landmarks, mile markers, or use GPS coordinates.
6. Conserve phone battery: Make necessary calls, then turn off your phone or put it in low-power mode.
7. Be cautious with strangers: If someone stops to help, request they call roadside assistance for you rather than accepting direct help.