A lot of people decide to purchase a new car during the
summer, because summer is a time that most people are traveling. If you’re planning on a long car trip this
summer, follow these tips to keep your family safe and your wallet a little heavier.
1. Change your oil regularly: If you look into your
owner’s manual, you’ll find that it probably says to change your oil every
7,500 miles or so. Most oil change
experts say that number should be closer to 3,000 miles. If you’re planning a trip that will put a lot
of miles on your car, especially in the summer when you’re car is more likely
to overheat, stick closer to the 3,000 mile figure.
2. Clean your battery: Hot weather can affect your
car in ways you aren’t always thinking about.
Summer heat can speed up the chemical reaction taking place inside your
car’s battery, which will really shorten its lifespan. By regularly detaching the battery cables and
wiping the terminals, it will decrease the chance of your battery being
overcharged.
3. Change the Air Filter – A dirty air filter can
decrease gas mileage by up to 10 percent.
It’s recommended you change your air filter every 12,000 miles, and
summer is a good time to do it since the streets aren’t so dirty with salt.
4. Check your tire pressure – Tire pressure changes
with the weather. For every 10-degree
increase in the weather, your tires could raise one-two PSI. An over-inflated tire can lead to
hydroplaning in wet conditions.
5. Maintain refrigerant – Usually, if an air
conditioner isn’t working properly, low refrigerant is at fault. If you have low refrigerant levels in your
car, that means you could have a leak somewhere in the system, and you should
have your air conditioning system checked out by a professional.
The Rothrock Motors service department is happy to help if
you have issues with any of the above.
Simply call 484-223-0570 to make an appointment!
