Auto Repair: Making Sure Your Car Is Ready for the Summer | Southlake, TX

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As the weather and road conditions begin to change with the seasons, it’s important to make sure your car is equipped to handle the changes. This is especially true when temperatures shoot up during the summer and your car has to withstand the heat. Fortunately, there are lots of little things you can do to make sure you don’t have to spend a fortune on auto repairs this summer. If you’re looking for tips for getting your car ready for the Southlake, TX, summer, here’s what you should do before the heat arrives.

AIR CONDITIONING

While air conditioning problems won’t keep your car from running smoothly this summer, nobody wants to endure the Texas heat without the help of AC. Before you have to sit through sweltering 100-degree heat, have a repair expert inspect your AC and make sure it’s ready for the demanding season ahead.

If you have any major problems with your AC, such as refrigerant leaks, you need to get those fixed right away. Some AC problems can actually be dangerous if left alone. However, in most cases you simply need to have your AC cleaned and inspected for problems. If you’re planning on taking your vehicle to an auto repair shop for maintenance to prepare it for the summer, make sure you have your AC inspected as well.

BATTERY TESTING

One of the most important things to keep in working order during the summer is your battery. While car batteries are designed to last a while, most drivers don’t do a good job of having their battery tested and replaced regularly. If you are planning on investing in a new battery for the summer, make sure you shop around and get one that’s built to last.

Heat can cause a lot of problems for car batteries, so you need to make sure yours is ready for the increase in temperature. As your battery heats up, the liquids inside can evaporate and cause a loss of function. A new battery can withstand some of this heat deterioration, but your old battery may fail under these conditions. At the very least, you should have an auto repair shop test your battery to check on its health.

FRESH TIRES

No matter what season you’re preparing your car for, you should always make sure you have a good set of tires. Tires may seem most important in harsh weather and slick driving conditions, but it’s equally as important to have a good set of tires during the summer. Since the heat tends to make your tires wear down a bit faster than they normally would, now is a good time to talk to your auto repair expert about investing in fresh tires.

One thing to keep in mind when it comes to shopping for tires is that you have lots of different options available. For starters, you need to make sure you get the right size and type of tire for your car. However, there are also lots of brands and quality levels available. If you want to make sure you’re getting the best tires for your car, an auto repair expert can help you make the final call.

CHANGE YOUR OIL

If you want your car to last for years and run smoothly the whole time, the most important thing you can do is change your oil. Firstly, changing your oil ensures all the moving parts of your engine are lubricated so they don’t wear down too quickly. You also need to change your oil more often than other fluids, which means it’s even more important to stay on top of.

Every time you change your oil, you also need to change your oil filter. This oil filter is what allows you to go thousands of miles between oil changes. Neglecting to change your oil filter means your clean oil will be run through a dirty filter, completely defeating the purpose.

Another thing you might want to consider is that oil thins out a bit as temperatures rise. Because of this, some people prefer to use a slightly thicker oil viscosity during the summer. Of course, this is a decision you should make only with the approval of an car repair professional. However, it’s worth asking about if you want to be fully prepared for summer.

CHECK YOUR FLUIDS

In addition to changing your oil, you should have a Southlake, TX, auto repair expert check all the fluids in your car before summer rolls around. This includes everything from your wiper fluid all the way down to your brake and transmission fluid. The good news is, you don’t have to worry about replacing most of these fluids very often if everything is working as it should.

Most manufacturers recommend changing your brake fluid once every 3 years or 45,000 miles. As far as transmission fluid goes, you’ve got anywhere from 30,000 to 60,000 miles before it needs changing. Other fluids such as the coolant mix and wiper fluid can simply be checked by an auto repair shop every once in a while and changed when they’re low.

THE EASY SOLUTION

When temperatures start to rise and there’s a little more stress on you and your car, it’s important to prepare properly. By changing fluids and making sure a few crucial parts of your car are in working order, you can make sure you’re ready for whatever summer has to throw at you.

Making sure you have a good shop to take your car to is an important part of maintenance. Thankfully, Import Car Center has your back even if you have a fancy European vehicle. We proudly serve everything from Volkswagen to Mercedes-Benz drivers in the area. Next time you need auto repairs or maintenance that a regular shop can’t handle, call Import Car Center at (817) 481-5665.