Is Your Vehicle Ready for Summer?

Parkway Family Kia is focused on helping you get ready for the summer to come. You’re not the only one in a rush to get your body ready for summer. Your car also needs to get ready for the heat. Check out our five practical tips to help you get your car ready for the summer.

Check the cooling system: The number one reason that cars break down during the summertime is from engine overheating and cooling system failure. To make sure that doesn’t happen to you, first, check that there is no debris around the radiator—a blockage in air flow can lead to overheating. Make sure to check your car’s coolant levels regularly. The coolant must be replaced at least once every two years. Also, be sure to check the radiator cap before summer starts, as they tend to get cracked or damaged. *Tip: Your radiator’s coolant and water mixture should be 50:50.

Make sure your A/C is working: Don’t wait until you’re sweating buckets to find out that your air conditioning system is broken. Make sure it’s running properly by checking the filter. If it doesn’t feel as cool as it once did, make sure to take your car to an authorized Kia service center.

Inspect your windshield wipers: Many of us will likely run into a few summer rain showers in the coming months, so it’s crucial to make sure your wipers are in tip-top shape. Because they’re made of rubber, wiper blades tend to be susceptible to higher temperatures, so make sure your blades aren’t worn-and-torn. If they are, replace them! And make sure you have enough windshield wiper fluid—things can get rough on those summer road trips, and keeping your windshield clean is a must.

Monitor your tire pressure. After first changing your winter tires following the long, cold months, you should check the tire pressure about once a month. Use a tire gauge to monitor your car’s tire pressure, but make sure to check them after they’ve cooled down and after the sun sets, as pressure tends to rise in higher temperatures during the day. Also, be sure to have your tires rotated every 5,000 miles.

Wash your car!: This may seem like a no-brainer, but giving your car a thorough wash is absolutely necessary to prepare it for the warmer weather. During colder months, cars are more susceptible to internal damage due to the bombardment of snow, ice, salt and filth that comes with rougher terrain. Make sure your car is squeaky clean—inside and out, including the wheel wells and underbody. Keeping your car clean also prevents premature degradation of auto parts.