Summer Care Tips You Should Know!

Summer is just around the corner, literally, it is what less than a week away. And unfortunately, servicing your vehicle doesn’t take a vacation during the Summer months as you will. Warmer months present challenges and can cause problems that can be costly to repair if you are not paying attention to what your vehicle needs. Let’s keep your vehicle in tip-top health this Summer and keep you out of the shop trying to fix-up your ride. Take a look at our tips on preparing your vehicle for the upcoming HOT months!

Coolant System – Keeping your vehicle cool is crucial to its performance and lifespan. Before the heat hits, check the level of coolant in your vehicle and even go the extra step and inspect the coolant reservoir and hoses. Give the hoses a squeeze, these should feel firm, not excessively squishy. If they are, you should replace them. Also, look for any cracks or leaking of the hoses especially at connection points and joints. *NEVER do any work on a hot engine, give the engine proper time to cool down.*

Windshield Wipers – Worn wipers are a no-go. And although it is Summer, it is bound to rain at some point and you don’t want to be caught in the rain with worn, streaky wipers. Wipers have a tendency to break down due to UV radiation from the sun, replacing your wipers before the upcoming season can prepare you for whatever may come your windshields way this Summer! Stop by our Express Lane and ask how you can get your wipers replaced without scheduling an appointment – in and out, easy breezy!

Essential Fluids – Your vehicle needs a variety of fluids to ensure it is running properly and they all need to be at a certain level in order to work the way they are intended. Check your engine’s oil, brake, power-steering, and windshield-washer fluids regularly. Each and every one of these fluids play a critical role and if you are running low or are completely empty, you can cause some costly damage to your ride. Top off these fluids or drop by our store and we can take a look for you!

Tires – Not only should you be checking the tread regularly but you should also be checking your tire’s pressure as well. Your tire’s tread should be checked and free of any stones, stray nails you may have picked up along the way, and they should be in good condition, ALL FOUR! Look for any cracks or uneven tread, this can be a result of a suspension problem. If you are planning to travel this Summer, your tires are an important part of that trip. Stop in to see us for any tire maintenance or questions you may have.

Air-Conditioning System – It can get hot in upstate New York, we all know this and having a poorly working air-conditioning system is not acceptable. If you’ve been having problems with your system, now is the time to act. There can be a multitude of reasons why your system is failing or having problems, leaks being one of the main causes. This system can be a bit tricky and may require a professional mechanics assistance in order to fix.

Air Filter – Your air filter may need a little bit of TLC after the spring we have had. Pollen, dirt, and dust may have clogged up your filter in the previous months and may create a problem when it comes to filtering your cabin air. These are often pretty easy to swap out and can be done at home but if you are unsure, our service department can assist you with all of your air filter needs!