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Summer is nearing in Virginia and it’s almost time for backyard barbeques, little league baseball, and scorching hot weather. Summertime brings tons of fun and activities, but the hot temperatures and sun-baked blacktop can have some negative effects on your car. These simple tips will help keep your car running smoothly all summer long!

Battery - When it comes to modern cars, the battery is no longer just for cranking your engine and starting your car. Unlike older cars, new cars are essentially rolling computers lots of onboard electronics.  An older or corroded battery can produce an inconsistent electrical flow which can negatively affect all of those expensive electronics or worse, leave you stranded.

Tires - Your tires are where the rubber hits the road, and are the only part of your car that comes in contact with the road. Heat transfer from the summer blacktop can take a toll on your tires. One of the easiest ways to prevent damage to your tires is to keep them properly inflated. Underinflation creates more heat and friction, degrading and sometimes destroying the tire. Check the manufacturer's recommendation on proper tire inflation for your car by looking on the inside of the driver's door jamb for the proper psi.  When you are inflating your tires, visually inspect them for cracks or fissures in the sidewall. If you see anything but a nice, smooth sidewall take your car to a tire service facility immediately and have them check it out to make sure it is safe.

Air Conditioning -  Air conditioning has become an almost universal feature of every car made in the last 20+ years. While it is nice to have a cool, comfortable interior on hot summer days, the secondary function of your A/C is to keep moisture off your windows. Most cars on the road use the A/C pump, which runs all the time, to dry the air and keep your windshield from fogging up. This is a big safety feature considering the changes in temperature and humidity between a summer morning and evening.

A bit of TLC will keep your car performing at its peak during the upcoming Virginia summer. Give us a call, swing by the shop, or schedule a service appointment online today!