Summer is Coming to Northern Virginia: Will Your Car Be Ready?

Where has the time gone?

It seems just yesterday the good drivers of northern Virginia were concerned with winterizing their vehicles, and now: Memorial Day is upon us. That means barbecues, and tailgates, and summer vacation.

And that’s not all it means:

Collectively, cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of all U.S. emissions, emitting around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for every gallon of gas. Some of this could be prevented if everyone kept their cars running efficiently.

Summer means heat, and dust, and lots of stop-and-go traffic, all of which can take a hefty toll on your vehicle. But with a little preparedness, and a little more routine summer maintenance, you can prevent a breakdown; protect your family; and save some money at the gas pump this summer.

Check your tires.

Tires. They’re important, and shouldn’t be forgotten, though they often are. An under-inflated tire, or an over-inflated one (not to mention one that’s worn down, or misaligned) can be dangerous any time of year, but most especially during the hot summer months. Check your tire pressure at least once a month, and have a tire rotation done every 5,000 miles, or as often as the car manufacturer recommends.

Maintain your cooling system.

More cars break down in the summer because they overheat than for any other reason. Your vehicle’s cooling system should be flushed and refilled once every two years, but the level, condition, and concentration of the coolant in your system should be checked more often than that. (Note: Never removed the radiator cap until the engine is cool. Oh, and one more thing: Don’t try to check your car’s drive belts, clamps, and hoses yourself; visit Chantilly, Virginia’s top auto repair center, and have your cooling system checked out by a professional automotive technician.)

Change your oil.

While this is something that need to be done year-round to keep your vehicle is proper operating condition, you may want to consider having your oil changed more often in the summer if you plan to make frequent short trips, extended trips with lots of luggage, or if you have a trailer to tow.

Protect your engine performance.

Achoo! Oh, sorry, excuse me. The pollen is just terrible. With more allergens and dust floating around, your air and fuel filters may need to be changed more often. If you’re experiencing issues with drive-ability (e.g., hard starts, rough idling, et cetera), give Advanced Automotive a call today.

Be prepared in the event of an emergency.

Sometimes, you’ll do everything right, and things still go wrong. Breakdowns happen. Will you be prepared when they do? Stock your car with certain basic tools and implements to protect yourself in the event of an emergency: A first aid kit, water, a flashlight and/or flairs, and of course — the phone number for northern Virginia’s go-to car towing & repair expert, Advanced Automotive.