Building Calgary's Automotive Resource Network

Here are some useful tips for preparing your vehicle for safe summer driving. Published in the Calgary Herald, originally posted May 15, 2009

Everyone knows how important it is to prepare vehicles for the cold and ice of winter, but surprisingly few people make the same preparations for the season that is perhaps the hardest of all on vehicles, summer.

Whether you are going on the road trip getaway or just driving around town, it’s important to prepare your car for the hot sun, unexpected rain, and blistering roads of summer driving.

Automotive experts say getting your car ready for summer is critical, as the heat is actually a lot harder on your vehicle than the cold.

• A good place to start any maintenance is to consult your owner’s manual and make sure to
  

  Photo by consumerfriendly, via flickr.com under a Creative Commons license

  follow the manufacturer’s suggestions, not just for the good of your car, but also for the good of your warranty.

• With the sun’s rays further elevating your car’s engine temperature, it is important to check coolant levels regularly, and to take your car in for a pre-summer inspection to make sure that everything is ready for the heat.

• To avoid long days in a hot car, try out your air conditioner well before you need to use it.

• Another change to make before driving in the summer is to switch your tires. While they may be great on ice and snow, winter tires will quickly wear down on the hot streets and highways of summertime. Winter tires are so good in sub-zero conditions because they are significantly softer than all-season tires — the same reason that dry, hot pavement will wear them down quite prematurely. Summer or all-season tires should be used when temperatures get in the 12C to 15C range or higher.

• Another good recommendation is to get your brakes checked, along with other items that are prone to wear like belts and hoses. Most service centres offer comprehensive inspection packages that can catch problems before they start.

While it is always a good idea to take your vehicle in for a full inspection before going on any holiday road trip, there are also a number of little things that can be checked at home in a few minutes.

Tire pressure, wiper blades, lights and all fluid levels (oil, coolant, transmission, windshield washer, brake) are relatively simple t check and make sure that everything is still in top condition after winter.

This kind of maintenance literally takes minutes, but can save a lot of heartache in the long run.

Checking your tire pressure can be done in seconds with a tire-pressure gauge, available in any hardware or gas station for a couple of bucks.

By following your vehicle’s recommended tire-pressure settings you can improve handling, cut down on tire wear, improve fuel mileage and lower the chances of blowouts.

Photo by gryhrt, via flickr.com under a Creative Commons license

Some Calgarians have cars that wait out the winter months in storage. While it’s exciting to get them out on the road again, there are a few things to keep in mind while shaking off the cobwebs.

Even though the vehicle hasn’t been driven for a while, check all the fluid levels. Check the battery for any buildup of corrosion.

Unlike in years past, when you could just chuck a new battery into a car and take off, most new vehicles have intricate electronics that may be affected by disconnecting the battery, so it’s important to always refer to owner’s manuals first or have maintenance handled by a professional.

Finally, take your winter-stored vehicle out for a 100-kilometre test drive before you trust it on any long trips.

via the Calgay Herlad, Take steps to prepare for summer driving