how to independently maintain your carhow to independently maintain your car

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how to independently maintain your car

One of the most difficult adjustments I had to make after my divorce was learning how to maintain and repair my own vehicle. That was one thing that my husband had always taken care of for me. Since the divorce, I have learned quite a bit about maintaining a car myself. I have picked up a few tidbits of information that has helped me avoid being overcharged for simple things that I can quickly do myself - like jump-starting my dead battery and changing a flat tire. If you need to learn how to independently maintain your vehicle for the first time, take a moment and visit my site.

How To Prepare Your Car For Summer

3 February 2016
 Categories: , Blog

Just like the winter, the summer months have a distinctive set of environmental variables that can affect your vehicle while driving. Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall can be just as dangerous as icy roads and heavy snow if your car is not properly prepared. When the snow starts to melt, there are a few things that you should do to prepare your car for the coming summer.

Check the Air Conditioner

The air conditioner of your vehicle is the only part of your vehicle that is not used during the winter months, and as such can fall into disrepair. Pop open the hood of your car and check the air conditioning system to ensure that there are no visible signs of damage. Inspect the condenser, which is most commonly located at the very front of the hood, for any signs of damage or debris buildup in the fins. Clean it out if needed. Also be sure to inspect the belts connected to the condenser, as a damaged or unattached belt will prevent your air conditioner from working at all.

Check the Brakes

Because of the heavier rainfall in the summer months, you should check your brakes immediately. Wet brakes have a longer response time when compared to dry ones. Look behind your wheels to inspect the brake pads. There will be a small inspection hole in the brake caliper located at the top of the brake. Check to see if the brake pad has any visible signs of damage, and to see if there is any degree of rust or damage on the brake caliper itself. If there is, you should take your vehicle in to a mechanic to have it examined and repaired if needed.

Check the Tires

Just like you need to install winter tires on your car during the colder months, summer driving requires summer tires. Summer tires will provide your vehicle with better fuel efficiency, handling, speed, and brake responsiveness. Summer tires have a thinner sidewall and a more shallow tread, as they do not need to grip deeply into snow or ice to gain traction. All season tires are a good compromise between summer and winter tires, and are designed to remain on your car throughout the entire year. However, all seasons will not hold up to extreme winter conditions very well, and will also have difficulty handling in heavy summer rains or in extremely high temperatures, making them only well suited for mild climates. If you need tires, contact a business such as White Pass Garage.