As we get further into summer, you may notice temperatures are rising fast. Unfortunately, this isn't great for your car. Use these tips to keep it in great shape.

How to Care for Your Vehicle This Summer

If you tend to get sunburned and dehydrated during the summer, we have bad news for you. You aren't the only one who can suffer negative effects because of the heat. Your car can also suffer if it is exposed to high temperatures and UV rays, which are pretty hard to dodge on the road. To ensure it stays in great shape despite these summer woes, check out these maintenance tips.

Know When to Replace Your Battery

Winter weather is known to cause issues for car batteries, but the summer heat may actually be worse for your car in this case. The heat itself can cause your battery to work even harder to perform tasks that aren't very demanding. Because of this added strain, an already old battery can start to malfunction during the summer or even run out of power altogether. Combine that with the summer humidity and you'll have even more problems. This is because the humidity can cause corrosion on your battery's connections, making it harder for it to do its job properly. If your battery is anywhere from three to five years old or older, you may want to replace it before it leaves you stranded.

Keep Your Engine Cool

Overheating engines seem to happen more often in the summer, but this isn't just because of extreme outdoor temperatures. While they do contribute to issues that lead to overheating, they aren't the main cause behind this. In order for an engine to overheat there has to already be some sort of issues in your cooling system. This may be a leak, a malfunctioning water pump, or a broken fan among many other possible issues. If this issue already exists but hasn't caused serious trouble yet, the summer heat can push it further, causing your engine to really heat up. Keep an eye on your coolant level and get your car checked out if you suspect there might be an issue with your cooling system.

Check on Your Fluids

Along with your coolant, your car relies on a number of different fluids to keep it moving safely. If you're taking the time to check on your coolant, take a few more minutes to also check on your brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid. If any of these are low, top them off before you run into any issues. If any of these are consistently running low, this may indicate you have a leak. Get this checked out as soon as possible in order to avoid large issues. One of the most important fluids you will need to keep an eye on this summer is your motor oil. To ensure your motor oil keeps your engine working well, get a synthetic oil change in Chambersburg, PA. To find the best synthetic oil for your car, contact Cerberus Systems, Inc. at (717) 658-1256. They can recommend products like  AMSOIL Oil's Signature Series 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil.

Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

Keeping your tires at the proper air pressure isn't particularly hard, but it does require that you check on them regularly. Under-inflated tires on the hot summer roads can lead to more blowouts, which are not ideal. Keep in mind that the hot asphalt can also lead to more stress on your tires, so if they're already worn, this can lead to even more issues. To prevent these types of road troubles, check on your tire pressure at least once a month.

Get Your Brakes Serviced

Your brakes are super important if you want to drive safely, so be sure to inspect them this season. Look out for strange pulsations and listen for strange noises when you brake. If you notice it takes your car longer to stop then before, this also indicates you have brake issues. Don't ignore these issues no matter how small they may seem; they can lead to very serious road accidents that could have been avoided. As soon as you notice an issue in your brakes, make an appointment with your mechanic.

Get a Synthetic Oil Change in Chambersburg, PA

If you want to be sure your engine is well protected this summer, don't put off getting a synthetic oil change in Chambersburg. To find the perfect oil for your engine, contact Cerberus Systems, Inc. at (717) 658-1256. You can also browse their online shop for a full range of their best AMSOIL Oil products.