Get Your Car or Truck Ready for Summer

After a long Idaho winter, it is only natural to look forward to summer with significant excitement. Even if you enjoy skiing and other winter activities, there is something about the return of blue skies and warm temperatures that just seems to put everyone in a better mood.

As you think about all of the things you’d like to do this summer, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is going to be up for the challenge. There are a few different steps you can take now to get your car or truck ready for the miles ahead. Of course, much of that prep will require the help of a qualified, experienced auto shop, so turn to Taylor & Sons Chevrolet for all of your automotive needs. We are here to serve you!

Start with a Thorough Cleaning

For this point, you won’t need any professional help, so it’s a great place to start. One of the best things you can do as spring arrives and summer closes in is to clean your vehicle carefully both inside and out. This will make it more enjoyable to use and will get it ready for the busyness that is likely to take place in the months ahead.

Start by simply taking a small trash can out to the vehicle and tossing out anything that has been collected through the winter. Be sure to look under the seats and in the small cracks to find everything you can toss out. Then, use a vacuum to clean up the carpets and a small towel to dust off the dash and other surfaces. Investing even 30 minutes in this process can pay big dividends.

With the inside of the car or truck looking great, it will be time to shut the doors and give it a wash. Spray the whole vehicle down with water, use some soap and an appropriate brush to scrub it down, and then spray it off once more. Drying the vehicle quickly after washing it will help you avoid unsightly streaks on the body. Your wheels and tires might be particularly dirty after a winter of driving around in Idaho, so give them some extra attention in the washing process.

Get the Oil Changed

The next step is to bring your vehicle in for an oil change. Unless you have an electric vehicle, oil changes are a critical part of keeping your car or truck in proper working order. As your vehicle ages, you might want to consider shortening the intervals between changes just to make sure all of the critical engine parts are staying lubed out as you drive around.

While it’s possible to change your own oil, most vehicle owners will prefer to bring their car or truck into a qualified service station. At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we perform oil change work each day, and you can be sure we’ll get it right the first time. Even if you think you have fallen behind your oil change schedule, it’s never too late to get back on track. Bring in your car or truck right away and we will replace the old, worn oil with a fresh batch right away.

Check the Battery and Fluids

There is no argument that oil changes lead the way in terms of important maintenance tasks for your vehicle. However, the list doesn’t stop there, and some other key items need to be attended to prior to the arrival of summer. Those include having all of the fluid levels checked and corrected, as necessary, along with having the battery tested. A cold winter in Idaho can be hard on a battery, so it’s possible that yours isn’t charging up as it should. A lackluster charge could leave you in a situation where the vehicle won’t start, so it’s a good idea to stay ahead of this issue.

If you choose to work with Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, you can combine all of these various services into a single visit. You can have the oil changed, have your battery and fluid levels checked, and deal with any other issues that you have noticed while driving around. The convenience of working with a full-service shop rather than just a quick lube place is that you can deal with all of your automotive maintenance needs at the same time and then get on with your day.

Address the Tire Situation

Depending on the type of vehicle you own and the type of driving you do in the winter months, you might have dedicated winter tires on your vehicle for the cold season. If that’s the case, you’ll need to have those swapped out now that the temperatures are rising, and the threat of snow has faded into the past. For most drivers, a quality all-season tire is going to be a good option for summer driving, as Idaho will typically offer good conditions on most days, but there will still be some adverse weather to deal with from time to time.

Even if you don’t use winter tires on your vehicle, now is still a good time to check in on the condition of your tires to see if any changes are needed. Your set of tires might have taken some abuse over the winter in harsh conditions, and the treads could be running thin. Going with a fresh set prior to the summer will put you on solid footing and help you enjoy your road trips and other outings with confidence.

While it might seem like this article contains a long list of items to manage, you can actually work through these points pretty quickly. That’s particularly true if you put Taylor & Sons Chevrolet on your side. Take a moment today to get in touch and schedule your first appointment. Our team is excited to meet you and we’ll do whatever it takes to get you and your vehicle ready for a great summer ahead.

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