Is Your Car ‘Summerized?’

True, harsh winter weather can be brutal on a car, but summer does a vehicle no favors, either. With lower gas prices making a vacation road trip a more affordable proposition this year - about 60 percent of Americans plan to drive 50 miles or more from home this year, according to the AAA in Orlando, Florida, it’s paramount to ensure the family car is ready to take the heat. For starters, check to see that your vehicle’s battery has sufficiently survived the rigors of cranking a cold engine and can adequately make the transition to hotter temperatures. Summer highs actually pose a greater threat to battery life than winter lows, according to the Car Care Council in Bethesda, Md. Check the battery’s fluid level by ether removing the battery caps or by peering through the small “window” provided for this purpose. If the fluid level is low, top it off with distilled water. Use a soft wire brush dipped in ammonia or baking soda to clean battery contracts if they’re becoming corroded. Even better, have a technician test the vehicle’s battery to determine how well it holds a charge. If the battery is several years old, consider replacing it now as a precautionary measure to avoid being stranded down the road. Be sure to have the vehicle’s oil and filter changed with the change of seasons, and check (or have a mechanic check) the car’s other fluids - including radiator coolant and brake, transmission and power steering fluid - topping them off as necessary or changing them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Likewise, inspect (or have a technician check) the car’s air filter - it’s usually located under a plastic cover to one side of the engine - to ensure that the engine is “breathing freely.” Remove the clips and cover, take the air filter out of its housing and give it a shake or jolt to dislodge any loose dirt; replace it if it looks dirty. Likewise, inspect the engine’s belts and be sure to have them replaced if they seem frayed or worn. Be sure your car or truck’s tires have made it though the winter unscathed and able to withstand the rigors of a long-distance summer excursion. Watch for uneven and excessive tread wear and suspect cracks or cuts in the sidewall. Tires are manufactured with warning bars that appear in the grooves of the tires when they have 2/32” of tire tread remaining; if you see them, have the tires replaced. Otherwise, stick a penny head first into the tread; if the top of Lincoln’s head is visible, it’s time for a change. Keep the tires properly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendation and check them regularly via a good quality air pressure gauge. According to tire manufacturer Goodyear, a tire’s air pressure can fluctuate by 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change. Under-inflation can adversely affect a car’s handling and its fuel economy; over-inflation can cause uneven wear and possibly a blowout if the tires get hot. Be sure to replace the windshield wipers, which tend to take a beating from snow, ice and road grit over the course of a long winter. And don’t forget to refill the windshield washing fluid reservoir and keep an extra jug in the trunk. Also, give your car a good wash from top to bottom; be sure to vacuum out the interior and scrub down the carpeting and upholstery with the appropriate cleaner, especially after extended bouts of bad weather, to avoid permanent stains from ground-in mud or road salt.