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Home » Summer Car Driving – What You Can Do To Get Ready

Summer Car Driving – What You Can Do To Get Ready

June 4, 2013 By Kif Richmann

Driving in the Sumer

Although summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21st, the month of June marks the beginning of the unofficial summer season.

Memorial Day has come and gone, school is wrapping up, and soon the temperatures will start to rise and commuters will take to the nation’s highways for summer vacations and weekend getaways.

But what does that mean for your car?

Obviously summer means higher temperatures that can cause serious issues for your vehicles components, and it often means more miles spent on the roads, resulting in a greater risk for automotive problems.

So what can you do?

The most important thing you can do for your car is bring it to a professional mechanic before the summer driving season. McGrath Auto has many professional mechanics – call 877-226-0908 to be connected to one of our expert service department.

But there are also some at-home things that you can do to prepare your car for the active summer months. If you are not 100% confident in handling these tasks, consult a technician for assistance.

Things You Should Inspect to Keep Your Car Cool

Remember – always consult a mechanic to be 100% sure about the status of your vehicle!

Man and his over heated car
Keep your car in tip-top shape to avoid long-driving and heat-related problems
  • Oil and oil filter – Old oil and  filters can wreak havoc, especially when the temp reaches triple digits.
  • Check air filter – If your air filters is clogged and dirty, your engine will have trouble breathing in the heat.
  • Coolant and radiator – Antifreeze keeps your engine temperature in balance, and low levels can cause overheating.

These are just a few items that should be looked over. Give these items a check and make sure they are up to snub. If you have any questions or concerns, bring your car to a professional before heading out for the long summer trip.

Save Money on Gas this Summer

These Tips can help you save all summer long.

Tire Inflation: This is really a year-round tip, but you should make sure your tires are properly inflated. Most cars have a factory listed psi for rear and front tires. A properly inflated tire is safer and can help your fuel-economy.

Save By Slowing Down: If you accelerate slower, and travel the highways 5-10 mpg, you may notice a significant decline in fuel-consumption. Try traveling down the highway 5 mph slower than usual and see what happens – you might be surprised!

Avoid Prolonged Idling: If your car is going to sit motionless for a couple of minutes, go ahead and turn it off. An idling engine still uses gas, so it won’t hurt to just put it in park and shut it off.

Use Cruise Control: Using your cruise control will limit fuel consumption by reducing frequent acceleration. Edmunds.com says you can save up to 14% on gas by using cruise control.

McGrath Auto Can Get You Ready for Summer

With our excellent family of dealerships, we have a professional service department in your area. If you live in Iowa City or Cedar Rapids, give us a call at 877-226-0908 and we’ll help you get your car ready for summer!

We have thousands of new and used cars waiting to help you on your summer adventures. Browse out Complete Inventory to learn more.

Filed Under: Auto News

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