Summer Driving Safety Tips

Summer is a great time for family vacations and road trips, but can your car stand up to the heat? Before heading out for a new adventure, there are a few easy ways to protect your car throughout the summer.

1. Schedule a maintenance check

Keeping up with preventative maintenance will help your car not only in the summer, but all year long. Bring your car in for regular tune-ups to ensure all parts are operating as expected.
Over time, the parts of the car and engine will wear down and the intense heat of summer can expedite the process. Be sure to schedule an oil change and battery check the next time you bring your car in for maintenance. With a regularly scheduled tune-up, the engine stays in excellent shape and you can prevent serious repairs or damages.

2. Check your tires for wear and tear

Your tires are a big investment. To keep them protected, it’s important to maintain proper tire balance and wheel alignment, as well as schedule tire rotations. These simple maintenance steps will increase the life of your tires and provide a safer drive.
It’s also crucial to keep tires properly inflated. Under or over-inflated tires can decrease fuel economy, destroy tire tread, impair handling, and may even lead to a blowout. Make sure your tires match the vehicle manufacturer’s inflation recommendation.

3. Keep your cooling system in peak condition

At  San Jose Auto Repair, we understand the need to feel cool and comfortable during a summer drive. However, a failing AC or cooling system could lead to a long – and uncomfortable – season.
When the outside temperature rises, the entire car is put through extra strain. The cooling system especially has to work extra hard just to maintain the car’s internal temperature.
If you don’t feel your car cooling off as quickly as it should or your temperature gauge fluctuates to “hot”, bring your car in for an AC and cooling system check. Our technicians will make sure the radiator, coolant, hoses, water pump and cooling pump are in peak condition.

4. Check all lights for outages
Driving with a broken light is both dangerous and a quick way to get pulled over by a local police officer. Before the start of the summer and winter seasons, do a quick check of all lights to ensure everything is lighting up properly. Have a friend stand outside the car as you check:
• Headlights
• Taillights
• Brake lights
• Turn signals
• Hazard lights
• Trailer lights (if applicable)
If any lights are out, call San Jose Auto Repair for a simple replacement. However, if more than one light is out, you could have an issue with your car’s electrical system. If this is the case, ask your auto technician to investigate.