It's easy to see that winter can be hard on a car. It may be less obvious that summer's heat can be
nearly as nasty as the cold of winter. And, be-cause auto repairs are almost always easier, cheaper, and
less inconvenient when they're done as preventive measures—before a system meltdown occurs—paying
a little attention to your car now can help ensure that you won't have to pay a lot of attention to it
later this summer.
Here's a checklist and some suggestions on how to prepare your car for summer driving:
Read your car's owner's manual—and follow its schedules for maintenance. If it suggests
alternate service intervals, such as for oil or filter changes, follow the schedule with shorter
intervals. It's cheap insurance.
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R E S O U R C E S
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Having your car inspected is a good
first step toward trouble-free driving.
- AAA diagnostic clinics offer thorough inspections; for locations, telephone
(800) 652-1158.
- You can also have your car gone over by a trusted technician. AAA's Approved Auto Repair
program helps you locate an approved repair facility near you; telephone (800) 645-4288
(Calif., Nev.), (800) 541-9902 (Utah).
- If you live in or near Sacramento or Santa Clara, Calif., consider visiting a
AAA-run Car Care Plus center for car maintenance needs. In Sacramento, call
(916) 386-8561; in Santa Clara, call (408) 247-5405.
- For information on all the ways AAA can help you with your car, go online
and visit aaa.com.
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Air-conditioning. Try it before you need it—turn the AC on and let it run for a while. Even
if it's turning out plenty of cold air, have the hoses and belts inspected.
Cooling system. Corrosion inhibitors in coolant can lose their effectiveness over time. The
cooling system should be flushed and refilled according to manufacturer's specifications; a two-year
interval is typical. Have the pressure cap checked or replaced when you have the coolant replaced. While
you're at it, have the system tested for leaks and have the belts and hoses inspected. Although hose life
varies greatly, you can think of a hose's life span as you would a dog's: Every year of hose life
equals at least seven of ours. It's best to replace aging hoses.
Brakes. Have them inspected.
Electrical system. Inspect the battery and cables; have the terminals cleaned if they're
corroded. If your battery is approaching the end of its warranty period (typically, five years), consider
replacing it. Otherwise, the only way to detect a weak battery before it fails to start your car is to
have it tested at a repair shop.
Fluid levels. Check oil, brake fluid, coolant, automatic transmission fluid, and windshield wiper
and power steering reservoirs. It's best either to have a professional do these inspections or to
consult your car's owner's manual for proper procedures.
Tires. Take off snow tires. Inspect tires for worn tread, uneven wear, and damage, including sidewall
damage. Check air pressure (don't forget the spare) when the tires are cool by using your own
high-quality gauge. Despite the recent controversy over inflation pressure and tire failures on some
sport utility vehicles, inflating tires to the pressure recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer is
generally best. The pressure figure given on the tire sidewall is a maximum, not necessarily the one to
use for ordinary driving.
Tread depth should be at least 2/32 of an inch. Most tires have wear bars at right angles to the
tread; when you can see them, replace the tire. Uneven wear can mean improper inflation or a
possible suspension problem, and in either case is much cheaper to fix sooner rather than later.
Lights. Make sure all the bulbs work, including high beams. Check the blinkers. Clean the lenses.
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