How To Prepare Your Vehicle For Summer

Summer is here, and you know what that means. Warm weather, longer drives, and plenty of road trips or driving to the beach. Before you begin your summer journey, it is crucial to have your vehicle inspected by a highly trained technician who knows your vehicle best. Luckily, Route 18 CJDR's service center is ready to check your car before any of your summertime travels in the upcoming months. To help review your vehicle, we developed a list of 5 things you should consider inspecting so you can get on the road as quickly as possible in the safest manner.

Review Your Tires Health And Pressure

One of the most critical parts of your vehicle is the tires, and examining all four is a must to guarantee your car drives smoothly. Search for scratches, gouges, or sidewall bubbles when checking your tires. You can review your tires further by using the "Quarter Test," which involves placing a quarter into the tire tread upside down. Then, if the tread covers the top of George Washington's head, your tires are in good condition. If not, it may be time to take a trip to the Route 18 CJDR service center to ensure they are properly substituted. You can also check your vehicle's tire pressure to meet the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure. This information can be found in the owner's manual and on the sticker of the driver-side door frame.

Are Your Engine's Fluids At The Right Level?

An additional method to keep your vehicle running in top condition is to ensure it has the correct fluid levels. This includes the engine oil, coolant and brake, transmission, and power steering fluids are at the correct levels for safe vehicle operation. Staying up-to-date with the engine oil will guarantee your vehicle runs smoothly and properly, which can eliminate harmful bits of dirt and debris from the engine before it does considerable damage. Additionally, you can change the transmission fluid. The frequency of this is not as often as additional components, but changing it sooner than later can prevent dirty and grimy fluid that will fail to lubricate and disperse heat. To examine this, you can locate a dipstick under the hood and find the measurement of the fluid. If you realize the fluids aren't where they should be, make sure to bring your vehicle to Route 18 CJDR as soon as possible.

Test Your Battery's Charge  

The battery is a necessary component of your vehicle. It has multiple uses, including the cabin's technology and providing power for operating your car. To inspect the battery, lift the hood and verify the cable connections are clean and tight, guaranteeing the cables don't slip out of place. A straightforward solution to clean the terminals is to use water and baking soda, which can rinse away corrosion instantly. If problems still arise, the next step would be to plan an appointment with Route 18 CJDR's service center. At that point, mechanics can check your battery's remaining power to decide whether it needs to be replaced. 

Replace Wiper Blades And Refill Windshield Fluids

Over time, windshield wipers will deteriorate and need eventual replacing. Some ways to tell if they need replacing include the wipers leaving streaks when in use and the inability to clear the water off the windshield thoroughly. The next step is refilling the washer fluid. Utilizing formulated cleaner is vital for your vehicle to remove debris and use water breading technology. Once the reservoir is filled, test the wipers and ensure nothing is obstructing the nozzles to stop them from spraying correctly.

Make Sure Your Brakes Pads Are Are Up To Par

Lastly, the brakes within your vehicle are crucial to keeping you and your passengers secure on the road. If you notice your brakes make a grinding noise and vibration or are pushing down more on the brake pedal, it may be time to check them. Mechanics will inspect the brake systems pads, rotors, shoes, and drums. Additionally, our technicians will search for any fluid leaks to ensure your brakes run as smoothly as possible.

Why Choose Route 18 CJDR As Your Primary Service Center?

With the new season arriving, ensuring your vehicle is in immaculate condition is just one of the ways you can have a fantastic driving experience this summer. Although you can follow these tips at your leisure, visiting the Route 18 CJDR state-of-the-art service center in East Brunswick can provide more security when needing a repair. Our professional technicians will be ready to get your vehicle serviced sufficiently quickly. Customers can also take a look at our specials for service and parts through our website. We are certain every customer will find the deal that best suits their needs. So be sure to contact Route 18 CJDR to get started or schedule an appointment online to prepare your vehicle for summer!