Staying Cool in Your Vehicle This Summer

Now that Summer is finally here, many of us are planning to hit the road for vacation. Whether you are planning a short weekend getaway or a two week coast to coast trip, you want to make sure everyone is as comfortable as possible during your travels. Even those of us that have daily commutes, sitting in a hot car is no fun. Is your vehicle’s A/C system up to the task? Here are some ways you can check your A/C system periodically that will help you and your car stay cool.

 

  • Run the air conditioner once a week for about 10 minutes. This will maintain gas pressure to keep the compressor working properly. When doing this, be sure to turn it to its highest fan speed and coolest setting. 
     
  • Run the defrost mode for about five minutes. This prevents mildew and cleans out excessive moisture which can lead to unsavory odors in your car.
     
  • Use your air conditioner system for short periods of time during the winter months. Yes, this might sound a little unusual, but in addition to cooling your vehicle, one of the air conditioner’s primary functions is to remove humidity from the cabin. It works especially well when you need to remove fog from the windshield to improve visibility.
     
  • Check and replace your cabin air filter as necessary. A clean cabin filter with help your system perform at its peak level.
     
  • Re-charge your air conditioning system. Every two years refresh the cooling system with gas and lubricant.

 

However, to get the best results from your A/C system, you should have a trained, certified technician do an inspection and performance test every couple of years. A little time and maintenance spent beforehand will be well worth the investment versus sitting in 90 degree temperatures with no air conditioning to help you keep your cool.

Use Your Spare Time to Check Your Tires

National Tire Safety Week begins May 29 and the Car Care Council urges vehicle owners to inspect their tires for wear and tear, as well as check tire pressure and alignment. According to a national survey conducted by the Rubber Manufacturers...

Wash Me, Please

It’s definitely time to clean your car if someone writes “wash me” on your vehicle. Even if your car hasn’t reached that point, a good cleaning of the inside and outside prevents the buildup of damaging chemicals and dirt,...

'Cinderella Era' of Your Vehicle is No Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, buying a new car may have sounded like a dream come true, but keeping your car through the “Cinderella Era” can mean more gold at the end of the rainbow, says the non-profit Car Care Council. “The smartest way...

National Car Care Month: Headlight Maintenance 101

When is the last time you changed your headlights? April is the perfect time to get your vehicle ready for spring and summer, when most road travel occurs. Not only does April mark the end of winter, but it’s also National Car Care Month....

It's Pothole Season: You May Be In For A Bumpy Ride

As winter winds down and the weather gets warmer, motorists will see more potholes on the roadways and avoiding them can be a real challenge. If you hit a pothole, the non-profit Car Care Council recommends watching for three warning signs to...

Under Pressure? TPMS Dashboard Light Lets You Know

Newer model vehicles are equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to warn drivers that at least one of their tires is underinflated. The dashboard light looks like an exclamation point inside of a horseshoe and, if illuminated, should...

Easy Steps to Better Gas Mileage

With the average price of gas dipping below two dollars per gallon for the first time since 2009, many motorists have been seeing a real savings at the pump. Putting some of that savings toward basic auto care can lead to more miles per gallon and,...

Sensible Steps to Help Keep Your Car Longer

More and more people are keeping their vehicles longer as the average age of a car on the road today is more than 11 years. Considering the cost of a new car is about $31,000 on average, deciding to keep your car rather than buying a new one makes...

Winter Maintenance Check

Heavy snow can be fun for some, but many drivers dread treacherous winter driving conditions. Being car care aware will help ensure your vehicle is ready for harsh winter weather encountered on the road, says the non-profit Car Care...

Tire Safety: Check Your Tires for Wear and Tear

It only takes a penny to see if your tires are worn or losing tread. Examining your tires for wear and tear, along with checking tire pressure and alignment, are essential to ensuring your vehicle’s safety on the road and helping to improve...

Be Car Care Aware Before Your Holiday Road Trip

The holidays are stressful enough without having to worry about your vehicle making it over the river and through the woods in time for dinner at grandma’s house. The Car Care Council recommends that before hitting the road for the holidays,...

Driving in Winter Wonderland Takes Preparation

After two of the worst winters ever in many parts of the country, the Car Care Council suggests that motorists take a little extra time now to make sure their vehicles are prepared for the unexpected when weather arrives. “The last two...

Are You a Severe Driver?

Things change, including the way we use our cars, how we drive them and the condition of our roads. Although normal driving is defined as steady driving in non-extreme weather or environments, for most motorists today, being a severe driver is more...

Getting Kids Involved With Car Care

New drivers love their cars, but they typically don’t realize what it takes to maintain them. The Car Care Council recommends having fun teaching children about the importance of car care long before they can drive so they know how routine...

Is Your Car Pet Ready?

The non-profit Car Care Council suggests the following tips for drivers planning a road trip with the family pet so that all passengers can remain comfortable in the close quarters of a vehicle interior. “Before you and your pet hit the...
Page: 123456 - All
Find An Auto-Lab® Near You!
Be Part Of Our Growing Community

…I would drive out of my way to have them service my vehicle any day of the week because I know I am getting service the way it should be!! Capt Colter B., US Marine Corps
star star star star star
Read More Reviews