4 Summer Car Care Tips for Your Honda

Your Honda vehicle is one of the most important and most valuable assets you’ll ever own. Because of this, it’s important to take care of it so it stays reliable. During the summer, the rays of the sun, as well as high temperatures, wreak havoc on your vehicle, making proper car care a must. If you’ve never done it before or just want to improve your knowledge and skills, follow these summer car care tips to maintain a like-new vehicle.

1. Check the Tires

Tires are one of the most overlooked aspects of car care during the summer because many vehicle owners are more worried about aesthetics and mechanical condition. However, tire care is important not only for your vehicle to handle correctly but also for safety. Summer temperatures cause tire pressure to rise, resulting in an unsafe over inflation. Therefore, you want to check the pressure at least once a month and release air to your owner’s manual specifications.

2. Check Or Change the Oil

Quite simply, oil is the lifeblood of your Honda. Without it, your engine doesn’t have enough lubrication to work correctly, and eventually there is irreversible damage. In the summer months, most drivers use their car more often for road trips or kids’ activities. Because of this, you want to check the oil at least once every two weeks to make sure you have adequate levels. If it’s low, top it off, or take your car in for a proper oil change if you reach the 5,000 to 10,000-mile mark.

3. Pay Attention to Your Radiator and Coolant

The radiator of your Honda is responsible for keeping your engine running at optimum temperature. However, the summer is harsh on your engine, and sometimes this causes your radiator to malfunction or need extra care. To avoid an overheating vehicle, make certain that your radiator has the proper level of coolant (antifreeze). If you want to go the extra mile, take your car in to make sure that the hoses, belts, and the radiator itself are free of problems. On your own time, use a garden hose and soft brush to remove any dirt or grime that accumulates on the radiator.

4. Clean Your Battery

Unbeknownst to many car owners, the summer, not the winter, is actually the toughest time of year for your car battery. The two biggest culprits of battery destruction come in the form of overcharging and battery fluid evaporation. High temperatures often cause the voltage regulator to provide too much charge to the battery, thus destroying it in the process. At the same time, this heat also causes your battery’s fluids, which are responsible for transferring charge, to evaporate, damaging the internal components. For these reasons, make certain to clean the battery, as well as topping off the fluid when possible. This will help prolong the life of the battery.

This summer, don’t let fate decide whether your Honda will run. Instead, take some initiative, follow these steps, and you’ll find your summer driving more enjoyable than ever.

Image via Pixabay

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