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Summer will be here soon (you can tell from the rising gas prices), so it’s a good time to get your car into shape for hot-weather touring. Even if you’re not planning any drive-away holidays, it’s a good idea to give your car a little TLC before the roads get soft, the temperatures get high and you have a large collection of dead insects stuck to your windshield.

For warmer weather, these are the most important elements to get checked.

Air conditioning. July is not the time to discover that your car’s AC is about to fail. Have the AC system thoroughly checked by a qualified technician and replace any cabin air filters that may be clogged or damaged.

Cooling system. The primary cause of summer breakdowns is overheating. Your car’s cooling system should be completely flushed and refilled every other year. The level, condition and concentration of the coolant should be checked regularly throughout the summer. If you’re planning to do it yourself, remember never to remove the radiator cap until the engine has cooled completely. Leave it to professionals to evaluate the tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps and hoses.

Engine performance. Dry summer weather often means dust. Because of this, it’s important to replace filters more often. Also be sure to have any drivability problems such as hard starts, rough idling or stalling addressed by professionals.

Have your tires checked. Winter is brutal on tires. For starters, you may need your snow tires swapped out. But it's also a good time to evaluate the condition of your tires. Look for cracks, degraded treads or anything that might lead to a blowout on the road. Be sure to check back regularly to ensure the tire inflation level is where it should be (the correct level for your vehicle can usually be found on a sticker on the inner driver-side door). And whatever you do for your four tires, don’t forget to do it for your spare tire.  Ensure your spare is safe and ready to use in case of an emergency.

Swap out your emergency kit. Now is the time to remove the snow boots and fleece blankets you keep in the car for safety in the event of a winter breakdown and add the things you’ll need in case of a hot-weather incident. This includes water and a flashlight with fresh batteries. Also remember to rid your car of anything that will melt in summer heat, including crayons or lip balms.

Wash the vehicle and change the wiper blades. Road treatments are hard on cars, so treat your car to a carwash to rid it of substances or chemicals that could corrode it. Also remember that winter weather is hard on wiper blades, so it’s a good idea to replace them if they’re looking a little beaten. A cleaning of your floor mats, which are likely full of tracked-in sand and salt, is also worthwhile.

To extend your car’s life, ensure it gets regular professional checkups in the spring. Contact us at Tire Country Auto Repair to schedule a full-service check-up and maintenance session for your vehicle.