Summer Maintenance

Summer Maintenance at Stanley Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Brownwood

Everyone knows that freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on your vehicle, but the heat waves you’ll experience in the summer can be just as bad. When you want to make sure that your vehicle can withstand the drastic change in temperature, you’ll want to head to Stanley Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Brownwood, which is only a short drive away from Coleman, Brownwood, and Comanche. 

Examining Your Fluids

When you’re about to deal with extreme heat, you’ll want to make sure that your fluids are both well-stocked and ready to go. If you haven’t had an oil change recently, you should pay special attention to the current quality, color, and level of your oil, as heat can put extra stress on your engine. Your coolant is also especially important, as it makes sure that your engine stays at just the right temperature when running. If you happen to be low on coolant, you may be risking the chance that your engine overheats when you’re on the road. This can lead to irreparable damage, but it can all be avoided with a quick fluid check. When it comes to the other parts of your vehicle like your transmission, power steering, and your brakes, you’ll want to make sure that their respective fluids are also topped up. 

All Four of Your Tires

Once you’ve looked over your fluids, you’ll want to move to your tires. Most drivers don’t routinely check their tires, but it’s an important part of road safety, as you don’t want to risk a potential blowout. 

• Tire Balancing: Your tires need to be balanced occasionally, as they’re often not the same weight, which can create a bumpy, uneven ride. 
• Tire Alignments: Your tires need to be properly aligned. When they’re not, it can feel like your vehicle wants to pull hard to the left or right. Small potholes, bumps in the road, and even curbs can throw off your alignment over time, causing increased wear. 
• Tire Rotation: Each one of your tires is going to take a different amount of wear, so by rotating them, you’ll be able to take the stress off of the tires that have received the most damage. 
• Pressure Check: You should routinely check your PSI, as you’ll lose air pressure consistently as you drive. Generally, you’ll find the recommended PSI written on the tire itself, which should help you avoid over or underfilling them. 

The Final Touch

Now that you’ve gone through some of the important parts of your model, you’ll want to check up on two major parts of your vehicle. 

• Your Battery: Your battery has a tendency to go bad over time, so you’ll want to get it tested before you plan on putting more miles on it. This can help you avoid a car that won’t start, which can be incredibly inconvenient. 
• Your Brakes: While it’s important to get moving, it’s just as important to come to a safe stop. That’s why you’ll want to have your brakes inspected before the summer so that you can make sure that they’re still in working order.