Summer is already here. Whether you and your family are planning to take the Great American Road Trip, or you’re going to be driving the streets and highways of Los Angeles, it is important to be prepared. The extremes of the summer season can be stressful on your car. Preventative car maintenance can save you from costly damage to your automobile. Here are some helpful hints to keep your car in good shape this summer.

Overheating
You may know that high temperatures can cause your radiator to overheat. Radiator overheating is one of the leading causes of car breakdown in the summertime. Make sure your car has the proper mixture of coolant and water.

Battery
But high temperatures can also affect the battery, and the air conditioner. The heat can sap a battery of its remaining power in no time. Test your battery, and replace it if it is worn or old.

Belts & Hoses
Heat also puts stress on the hoses and belts in your car’s engine. Belts and hoses that are already brittle, blistered, or worn can break in high temperatures, leaving you stranded. Be sure to have your hoses and belts checked before summer, and replaced if necessary.

Motor Oil
Motor oil is one of the most important factors to keeping your car running smoothly, and it’s one of the easiest to maintain! Old, dirty motor oil can cause your engine to seize up. In high temperature, or when carrying a heavy load you should use a thicker motor oil. Have your motor oil checked and replaced.

Transmission
Transmission fluid is essential to the smooth operation of your car’s transmission, but high temperatures can overheat the fluid so that it doesn’t work properly. If it looks dirty, or smells burnt, then it needs to be replaced. This is especially important in the summer for cars that are used for towing, or when you load up with luggage for that family vacation. Take your automobile to a transmission shop to make sure the transmission fluid is clean and smooth.

Follow-Up
Be sure to follow the normal guidelines of auto maintenance, as described in your owner’s manual. Change your oil every 3,000 miles; change your filters frequently, and have your tires rotated. Taking such simple precautions can save you from a costly breakdown on the highway, or in heavy traffic.