Vehicle Maintenance Checklist For Warmer Weather
Prep your auto investment for hot weather with our handy car maintenance checklist. Summer can take a toll on your car, truck, or SUV, but there are preventative measures you can take to save yourself from additional hassles and expenses down the road. Our Jones Ford Casa Grande service center is here to inspect your vehicle and ensure it's in peak condition to beat the Arizona heat. In the meantime, keep reading to learn about some of the most common precautionary measures you can take.
Air Conditioner: Why Isn't the AC Working in My Car?
When it comes to driving during summer months, it's hard to imagine a vehicle component more essential than auto air conditioning. We recommend testing out your cabin cooling system before the summer begins. If the air is weak or lukewarm, or if you notice any unusual smells or sounds coming from your vents, you'll want to book an auto air conditioning repair appointment as soon as possible. Addressing this issue now will make driving more pleasant as the days get longer and the weather gets warmer. Jones Ford Casa Grande does professional car AC repair right.
Tire Pressure: What Should My Car Tire Pressure Be?
Every temperature change of 10 degrees affects your tire pressure by around one or two pounds per square inch (PSI), the unit of measurement most commonly used for tire pressure. Colder weather lowers PSI, while warmer weather increases it. It's important to have optimal tire pressure to maintain good fuel efficiency, safety, handling, and smooth ride quality.
Keeping an eye on your car tire pressure light is always a good idea, but we strongly suggest bringing your model in for tire service before the summer kicks off.
Vehicle Battery: How Do I Maintain a Car Battery?
Summer weather can evaporate your battery's liquids quicker, draining its charge and reducing your car battery life expectancy. This can cause overheating and accelerate the corrosion process. Some battery tips for beating the heat include:
- Regularly driving for 20 minutes or more so the battery doesn't discharge
- Parking in covered or shady areas whenever possible
- Keeping the battery clean
- Turning off electrical components, such as the battery, when the engine isn't running
You'll experience warning signs when your battery needs attention, but booking a car battery health check at a service center is always a best practice before summer. If you schedule an appointment at our dealership, a professional car battery checker will perform a battery inspection to ensure everything's in order.
Car Fluid: What Fluids Need to Be Changed in a Car?
Heeding the "check oil" light is a great way to keep your engine in top-notch shape when the hot weather hits, but you should keep up with your recommended oil change intervals regardless to keep your engine operating smoothly. While prepping your vehicle for summer weather, technicians will likely also do a transmission fluid level check. If this fluid is low, your car has a higher risk of overheating and difficulty shifting gears.
One of the most critical car fluids to check before summer is the coolant, which keeps the engine temperature low. We also urge you to get your refrigerant and power steering fluid topped up to keep everything running as intended.
Automotive Air Filters: How Often Should I Replace or Check Air Filters?
Are you having trouble with your air conditioning but can't put your finger on the cause? You may have a clogged air filter. This is extremely common in the colder months and can come back to bite you when warmer weather hits. Hot weather can also lead to more unsavory germs and pollen particles, so your cabin filter is especially crucial during the summer season.
Our mechanics will always complete an air filter check regardless of the time of year, but spring is a good time to get this done. Schedule your service appointment to ensure clean, fresh air this summer.
Additional Summer Car Maintenance Checklist Items
Don't wait for summer to arrive – get ahead of the curve and fortify your vehicle today! Our Jones Ford Casa Grande team of service experts is here to help you equip your car for summer with additional car maintenance services such as coolant flushes, windshield wiper fluid replacements, and even routine oil changes if your "check engine oil" light keeps popping up. We understand these maintenance jobs can add up, which is why we offer our customers generous service specials.
When you arrive for your appointment, a Jones Ford Casa Grande professional will perform auto battery testing and ensure you have an appropriate car tire PSI range, a clean cabin air filter, and whatever else it needs to take on the Arizona heat.
Vehicle Maintenance Checklist
Get ready for summer with our car maintenance checklist overview. If you have concerns about any of the auto components we mentioned, feel free to reach out to our Ford service center today. Whether you have a Ford vehicle or another make, Jones Ford Casa Grande is your local resource for any service, from auto air conditioning repair to a car battery health check. You deserve to sit back and enjoy the sun without worrying about how your vehicle holds up in the heat!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some signs that my car's air conditioning system needs servicing?
There are several indicators that your car's AC needs servicing, such as a failure to produce cool air, strange smells or sounds, or excessive condensation. Even if your AC is running smoothly, booking an auto air conditioning inspection before summer kicks into full gear is always a smart idea. The last thing you want to do is end up with a faulty cooling system out in the hot sun!
Is it necessary to replace my car's battery more frequently in the summer?
Although you would expect the opposite, heat impacts your car battery more than cold. Although batteries typically need to be replaced every three to five years, getting a battery inspection before the summer months heat up is a wise preventative measure. Schedule auto battery testing with our Jones Ford Casa Grande service center to set your vehicle up for success this summer.
What should I do if my car's engine starts to overheat while driving in hot weather?
If your engine overheats in hot weather, pull over immediately and shut off the car for about 15 minutes while you call a tow service or plan a route to the nearest service center. Continuing to operate your vehicle with an overheating engine is not only risky for you and your passengers, but it can also cause long-term harm to your vehicle.