CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 23, 2019) – As we head into the last week of Car Care Month, AAA Carolinas is sharing tips with motorists to take care of their vehicles and help keep them running smoothly into the summer driving season and beyond.
“It’s important that we maintain the health of our vehicles all the time, not just when something is wrong,” said Tiffany Wright, AAA Carolinas spokesperson. “The little things like routine oil changes and tire rotations are crucial in extending your vehicle’s life span.”
With the summer season approaching, AAA Carolinas recommends tailoring your vehicle maintenance to the heat and pollen the season brings. Below are some areas to focus on:
- Air Conditioning: A system that is operating marginally will most likely fail in hot weather. Have a technician examine your system if you feel it isn’t running at full power.
- Cooling System: Just like we need to stay cool in the heat, so does your vehicle’s engine. The cooling system should be flushed and refilled about every 24 months. The coolant should be checked periodically as well.
- Oil: Change your oil and oil filter as specified in your vehicle’s manual, and more often if you make frequent short trips or extended trips with a car full of luggage.
- Engine Performance: Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV, etc) as recommended and more frequently in dusty conditions.
- Windshield Wipers: A dirty windshield causes eye fatigue and can pose a safety hazard. Replace worn wiper blades and make sure you have plenty of windshield washer solvent.
- Lights: Inspect all lights and bulbs; replace burned out bulbs and periodically clean dirty and insects from all lenses.
- Tires: Have your tires rotated about every 5,000 miles. Check the tire pressure once a month when the tires are cold to get a true reading. Also check tread depth. Current state regulations usually recommend tire replacement at 2/32” depth, but in the interest of safety, AAA recommends replacement of 4/32” depth, since by that time, stopping performance is already decreasing. See this video on tread depth to show how stopping distance is affected by tread. Don’t forget to also check your spare tire so that it is ready in the case of an emergency.
- Brakes: Brakes should be inspected as recommended in your manual, or sooner if you notice pulsations, grabbing, noises or longer stopping distance.
- Battery: Batteries can fail any time of year. The accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment. Routine care can help make your battery last longer. Scrape away corrosion from posts and cable connections; clean all surfaces; re-tighten all connections.
Visit our YouTube channel to watch videos of our technician, Jason Karp, explain common vehicle maintenance such as the importance of changing air filters and brake maintenance.