With the season’s official start less than a month away, it’s time to get your car ready for summer. Summer is not only a time when we expect our cars to perform through extreme heat, but summer is typically the time when we travel the most and take vacations.
In addition to expecting our engines to get us to where we need to go in the heat, car exteriors and windshields are exposed to all kinds of additional threats in summer. These include harsh sunlight, hailstorms, bugs, and more.
If you’re taking your car on vacation, it will likely be exposed to sand if you’re going to the beach. On the other hand, rocks, pebbles, and tree limbs can be a problem if you’re traveling to the mountains. Regardless of where you go, there is also a lot more wildlife to look out for on the roads during the summer months. As a result, you should make sure all aspects of your vehicle — from your tires and engine to your windows and AC — are performing their best before you hit the road.
Important Things to Do to Get Your Car Ready for Summer
To ensure your car is ready for the upcoming summer on the inside and outside, we wanted to provide you with some helpful tips. Some of these you might want to tackle yourself, while others may be best left to a professional.
Check Tire Pressure
It’s important to check tire pressure regularly, but especially as seasons change. While cold weather causes tire pressure to drop, hot weather causes it to increase which can cause tires to be over-inflated. Over-inflated tires cause cars to ride rough, wear tires unevenly, and can be dangerous. To get the most accurate tire pressure reading, it’s best to check it early in the day before it gets too hot. Tire pressure can be inaccurate if checked after a car has been sitting on hot pavement or in the sun.
Tint Windows
Window tint helps to protect your car’s windshield and windows. In addition, it is an affordable way to improve the comfort of your car in the summer by keeping it cooler. Professionally installed quality window tint works by blocking a significant percentage of the sun’s harmful UV rays. It reduces glare, protects your skin from sun damage, and can also help to preserve your car’s upholstery, dashboard, and carpet from fading and deterioration. Window tint comes in a variety of opacities, allowing you to tailor the appearance and performance of your car’s windows to your preferences. While you may be tempted to try your hand at applying window tint yourself, keep in mind that there is a steep learning curve when it comes to window tinting. Leave window tinting to the professionals if you want a pristine tint job with no bubbles, cracking, or peeling.
Wash & Wax
Paint jobs take a lot of abuse in the summer from the hot sun and more, as we mentioned earlier. Waxing adds a thin layer that protects your car’s paint from the sun, debris, bugs, and more. Be sure to use a quality product or get a professional wax job. Wash the car first to be sure it is clean before applying wax. You may also want to consider investing in paint protection film. Paint protection film helps protect your car’s finish from dirt, dings, and scratches, and are designed to withstand a variety of weather conditions, temperatures, and driving conditions.
Check & Add Fluids
Heat in the summer can take a toll on car fluids. That’s why it’s important to ensure they’re at proper levels and add fluids as necessary. Coolant or antifreeze is especially important in the summer because it keeps your engine from overheating. Check or have your mechanic check the coolant and other fluids including motor oil, brake fluid, water in the car battery, and windshield wiper fluid.
Check the AC
Don’t wait until it gets hot to make sure that your air conditioning works. To check, turn it up to the maximum coolness, crank the fan up to high, and then open the vents all the way. Holding your hand in front of the vent, the air should feel cool and crisp. You can also check by inserting the tip of a thermometer into the edge of a vent. If it reads below 60 degrees, then it’s likely working correctly. If not, your refrigerant may be low or there could be a more serious issue. Weak airflow can indicate that the passenger compartment air filter needs to be replaced. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual if you want to replace it yourself or get a professional to do it for you. Filters in some car models are more difficult to replace than others.
Want to Learn More About How You Can Get Your Car Ready for Summer?
Contact the experts at Auto Trim Design if you have any questions about car upgrades at (301) 662-7443 or fill out this brief form. We would love to hear from you. We are ready and available to help you with preparing your vehicle for summer or any other automotive enhancements. Our team is the absolute best when it comes to interior and exterior upgrades that add luxury, convenience, and safety features while enhancing your vehicle’s overall function and style.