Getting your vehicle prepared for some safe summer driving is just as important as preparing your itinerary. Before you head out on the road for a road-trip style vacation, you may want to get your vehicle into your local auto repair shop for some check-ups and check-overs. Things like tires, fluids, and your cooling system should be in excellent condition in order to prevent unnecessary breakdowns or accidents along the way. Some of the most common safe summer driving must-haves are also those in which people forget very easily.

Tires are one of the most important safety features on your vehicle and are a must-have service before you hit the hot summer roads. Tire pressure and tire tread should be in proper condition. According to automotive experts, tire pressure will increase as the outside air temperature rises. In fact, tire pressure will go up approximately one pound for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Under some conditions that increase in pressure is enough to blow the tire! That is nothing you want to deal with hallway to your destination on the side of the highway. If nothing else, a tire that’s overinflated will wear prematurely and will cause the car to handle and brake poorly. Tire tread is capable of allowing vehicles to corner tighter, accelerate smoother, and brake quickly. Tire tread is also capable of helping to maximize fuel economy.

Have you had your cooling system checked yet? If your car ran even a little hot last summer, have your mechanic find the cause of it right now before it’s too late. A plugged radiator core can be the kiss of death for an engine.   If this happens, you’ll notice that your engine is running hot when you’re driving at sustained high speeds or hills.

A battery needs to be strong before summer hits as well. Summer road trips in hot weather means extra stress on your battery. The drain on the battery’s resources most likely occurs during the summer’s hot weather rather than during the cold winters when your car doesn’t start at all. Heat, more than cold, shortens battery life according to the Car Care Council.

Summer driving maintenance doesn’t have to cost a lot but it could save you money down the road. There is nothing worse than getting halfway to your destination only to find major car repairs needed to get your trip back in progress. Our mechanics are ready to service your vehicle and make sure that hot temperatures don’t rain on your parade… or your road trip.