Summer is a great time of year to complete some maintenance for your car, especially in areas like Green Bay that sees heavy snow during winter. So, we put together a list of maintenance tasks you should check off this summer before you hit the road.
[ READ MORE: How Often Should I Get My Car Washed? ]
5 Easy Car Maintenance Tips
1. Checking the Tire Pressure and Tread
- Low tire pressure can impact the fuel economy and handing of the car. Check your owner’s manual for the optimal pressure level and fill it up. While you’re at it, inspect the tread. You can use the quarter test by placing a quarter in the tread with the president’s head upside down. If you see the entire head, change your tires. Also, rotate and align your tires if you haven’t done so in a while.
2. Check the Oil Levels and Get a Change if Needed
- The oil level may need to be filled at times. You can check this by pulling out the dipstick in your engine. Oil should be an amber color and turns dark as debris mixes in. Dark colored oil is a sign that you should get your oil changed soon.
3. Fill the Engine Coolant to Full
- Coolant helps get rid of excess heat to cool the engine down as it’s running. Most cars have a translucent container for coolant under the hood so you can take a quick look without opening the lid. Check your owner’s manual to find the location of the coolant reservoir.
4. Replace the Air Filter in the Engine
- The engine requires oxygen to function properly. A clean air filter will have a white or off-white color and turns darker as it gets dirty. If the filter looks dirty, replace it to avoid engine problems down the road.
5. Replace Any Indicator Bulbs that are Out
- Indicator bulbs are important for other motorists around you to know where you are turning. If a bulb is out, you can tell inside the vehicle by seeing the arrow on your dashboard in that direction blinking quickly. Replace the bulb as soon as you can to avoid getting into an accident.
We hope this checklist is useful for you this summer! For more tips and tricks like this, check out our blog!