How To Prepare Your Car for Summer

Pool parties, road trips, and days spent out in the sun—summer is one of the best times of the year! But as the days grow longer and hotter, many people forget about one of the most important parts of welcoming the season: readying your car. With hotter months fast approaching, you’ll need to know how to prepare your car for summer. Here are a few basic steps you can take to do so.

Inspect Your Car’s Fluids

After a long winter, each of your car’s many fluids is probably long overdue for a check or a change. Prepare your vehicle for operation in the hot summer months by inspecting oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and wiper fluid levels. Ensure that each fluid is filled to the appropriate level, and if you notice that a fluid seems old or dirty, replace it yourself or bring it to a shop to have a professional replace it.

Take a Look Under the Hood

While you’re inspecting your car’s fluids, it’s a good idea to make a general inspection of the other parts under your car’s hood. Ensure that your hoses and belts are all in good condition with no cracks or signs of warping. It’s also important to check and test out your car’s battery. Clean off any corrosion from your battery terminals and take your car to a shop to have your battery tested (this process is often free).

Make Sure the Air Conditioning Is Working

If you’ve ever driven a car with a broken air conditioning system in the dead of summer, you know the importance of functional air conditioning. Before the weather gets too hot, test out your car’s air conditioning to make sure it’s working properly. If you notice that the system isn’t up to par, you may need to change your car’s air filters or add some refrigerant.

Switch Out Tires and Check Them Over

If you previously installed snow tires to help your car brave the winter weather, you’ll need to switch out those tires for all-season or summer tires. In addition to changing your tires, it’s wise to check your car’s tire pressure, both at the beginning of the season and every month or so after that, as changes in temperature can cause your tire pressure to increase or decrease. While you’re at it, give your tires and rims a quick inspection to make sure they haven’t become damaged, corroded, or worn during the winter or spring. If you notice any issues, it may be wise to repair or replace your tires and/or rims.

Learning how to prepare your car for summer will help you keep your car operating smoothly during the hot summer months. If, during your pre-summer inspection, you notice any issues with your car’s wheels, WheelerShip has your back. We stock replacements for your 2015 Mazda 6 wheels and any other types of rims or tires you need.