Can you believe it? It's already June, and summer is right around the corner. Here at Juanita Firs 76, we're looking forward to the longer days, extra sunshine, and all the fun that summer has to offer.
Do you have awesome plans for this summer? Are you going to make the trek over the mountains, chill at the ocean, or steal away for a long weekend at the San Juans? Or maybe you'll be driving every weekend for soccer tournaments, and making the rounds to visit all your family? Whether your summer's going to be filled with backyard barbeques or a nation-wide road trip, chances are you'll be using your car to do it. And you need that car to be ready to rock and roll. You need it to be reliable so it can get you to all that fun.
None of us want to be sweltering in an air condition-less car, or sitting on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck when it's 85 degrees. We'd rather be playing at the beach or driving to the mountains for a hike. (And, we'd rather be getting our tan at the pool - not on the side of the freeway, thank you very much). So, take charge of your summer this year and get this stuff done now. And then kick back, pour yourself a lemonade, and enjoy the rest of the summer.
So, here it is. Get these things done before summer hits, and you'll be in pretty great shape:
- Check your air conditioning.
A good test is to try out your air conditioning and see if the temperature feels cold coming out of the vents. If it's not chilly, it might be time to get it in for an AC service. Not sure if it's performing the way it should be? Schedule an appointment with a shop to have them check the AC levels. They can easily see if it's low on a charge and if it needs to be serviced. Don't get caught baking in your car in bumper to bumper traffic. Show up to that barbeque pit stain-free. Get it checked out early.
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Check your fluids.
Take a few minutes to pop the hood and check all the fluid levels like the oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. Top off any fluids that are low. If you have to add a lot, be sure to schedule an appointment at a shop to have them check it out for a leak. Not sure how to check your fluids? Check out this post., or stop by anytime. We'd love to show you how! (And it won't cost you a penny)
- Check your wipers and washer fluid.
Have you ever been driving on a dusty road (or through a bug-filled field), and your windshield is suddenly a grimy mess? You need good wipers and a full bottle of washer fluid to clean that off. Check the washer fluid level and fill it up if it's low. Not sure if you need new wipers? Check to see if they're cracked or ripped. Then turn on your wipers and see how well they clear the window. If you see any streaks or smudges, it's probably a good idea to replace them.
- Check your tires.
Plan on driving a lot this summer? Make sure you've got plenty of tread to last you through those long road trips. You want to make sure you've got good traction - especially if you're going to be towing heavy loads. Not sure how to check them? Click here to read more about the penny check.
- Get an oil change
Get your oil changed before the summer rush hits. Even if you're not quite due for it yet, at least get it scheduled so you can get it done in plenty of time before your road trip. Here's where that works out well for you - if the shop finds some things that you want to get fixed before your trip, you actually have enough time to get it done.
- Check your brakes
Feel a vibration when you're braking? Are they making any squeaking or grinding noises? Then it's definitely time to get it in a shop and get it looked at. Even if they're not making noise or causing problems, it's always good to have an idea of how much life you've got left on your brake pads. If you haven't had them checked in the last 6 months, ask your shop to take a look to let you know where they're at.
- Check your lights
Enlist a friend and have them help you check all the lights on your car. Make sure the headlights, brake lights, turn signals and hazards all work.
- Check your battery
Hot weather can be tough on a battery. And there's nothing more magical than being stuck in a parking lot on a hot summer day. (Said no one ever). The normal life expectancy of a battery is usually about 5 years, so it's good to have a sense of the health of your battery before you put it through the ringer this summer. Many shops will even test a battery for free, so it never hurts to get it checked out.
- (Bonus!) Get the car inspected
Don't want to do all this yourself? You can get all of these things checked by taking it into a shop for an inspection. Many places will do this as a courtesy with an oil change, or they may charge a bit for a more thorough inspection. Let your shop know if you plan on going on any road trips, and ask them to check the things on this list if it's not part of their standard inspection.
And that's it! If you check off this list, you'll be set for summer. Free to enjoy your backyard barbeques, soccer games, and road trips without having to worry about your ride.
You got this.
Want to schedule an appointment with our shop? Click the button below to request an appointment, or give us a call at 425-821-2345
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