Here are a few things to consider regarding your car, truck or SUV!

During the upcoming summer months, the weather can get hot. You’ll want to take a few things into consideration regarding your car, truck or SUV. It’s important to remember that hot weather can be tough on mechanical components. While there are many similarities between getting your vehicle ready for summer and getting it ready for winter, a couple of differences do exist.

Here’s a list of what needs to be done to get your vehicle ready for summer:

1. Remove snow tires.
2. Check the tire pressure. Tire pressure is important at all times. It’s critical to have properly inflated tires, as this assures the best possible contact between the tire and the road.
3. Change the engine oil and adjust the viscosity grade.
4. Inspect the belts and hoses. Before summer begins, have the belts and hoses inspected on your vehicle. And if you’re not sure when they were last replaced, consider having them changed, especially before commencing a long road trip.
5. Inspect the wipers and wiper fluid. The life expectancy of a wiper blade is one year. If your car’s blades are dried out and not making full contact with the windshield, replace them.
6. Check the battery. A battery gives little warning before it goes dead. Hot weather can put additional strain on a battery similar to what is experienced in cold weather.
7. Check coolant/antifreeze mixture. The ideal mixture of coolant and water inside your vehicle’s radiator is 50:50. If the mixture deviates from this norm, then hot-weather performance (and cold) can be compromised.
8. Carry an emergency kit inside your car. Things you might consider carrying include the following:

• A flashlight, flares and a first-aid kit
• Jumper cables
• Extra clothes and gloves
• Paper towels
• Extra washer fluid
• Food and water
• Basic tools like wrenches, a ratchet and sockets, screwdrivers and pliers or Vise-Grips

Drive safe this summer!

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