Guide on How to get your vehicle Summer-Ready: Complete Checklist

Here is a checklist of vehicle maintenance before summer. Make sure your car stays cool and on the road all season with A/C checks and tire pressure.

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Nov 28, 2025 - 17:47
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When the days become longer and the temperature higher, it is the most appropriate time when you should ensure that your vehicle is prepared to meet the tasks of summer driving. Planning a family outing and taking the kids on a road trip during hot weather may not be a problem, but driving down to work on a daily basis, or simply enjoying a weekend road trip, may end up costing you, unless your car is well maintained. 

 

Whether it is the cooling of the engine or the pressure on tires, summer has its share of obstacles. To enjoy the season, take a step to prepare your car in advance to prevent breakdowns and keep safe and off stress.  

The following is a comprehensive checklist of what to do to the car during summer to make your car run smoothly through the heat. 

  1. Check Your Air Conditioning  

There is so much heat produced by your engine and during summer months, it becomes much more vital to cool it. One of the biggest causes of summertime breakdowns is a collapsed cooling system.  

What To Do:  

  • Ensure there is no leakage and crack in the radiator and hoses.  

  • Make sure that there are enough coolants and that the fluid is clean.  

  • Clean out and replenish your coolant system especially when it is some years since you had last done so.  

  • Ensure that the radiator fan is in normal functioning capacity.  

An engine that overheats will just leave you stranded out-regular checks of the cooling system will avert this. 

  1. Check the Air conditioning System  

It is not only uncomfortable to drive, without A/C, in the summer, but it is also dangerous. An air conditioning system should work in order to ensure comfort and safe conditions.  

What To Do:  

  • Switch on your A/C and see how well it chills.  

  • Be on listen of strange sounds or small airflow.  

  • Refill refrigerant or get the system stabilized. 

  • Filter the cabin to improve the circulation and air quality by changing the cabin air filter. 

When your A/C is not blowing cold, make sure to have someone to look at it before the peak of summertime heat. 

  1. Inspect Your Battery  

Freezing temperatures can strap your battery as well as intense heat. The heat may drive the battery fluid due to evaporation, which causes corrosion and a reduction of battery life.  

What To Do:  

  • Check your battery with voltage and performance check.  

  • Carefully clean any rust at the posts.  

  • Ensure that it is firmly installed and the wires are well connected.  

  • Get a new battery in case of its age of over 3-5 years or in an old state.  

It is a good idea to check whether your battery works well, and it will help you avoid breaking down during summer. 

  1. Monitor Tire Health and Pressure  

Warm asphalt may cause tire explosion, particularly when your tire pressure is not up to standard, or when your tires are inflated excessively. With well maintained tires, both the safety and fuel economy increase.  

What To Do:  

  • Check the tire pressure once a month at least.  

  • Fill tires with the recommended PSI of your vehicle.  

  • Check tread depth- use tires that are worn out.  

  • Front to back tire rotation will help in evenly wearing out the tires.  

  • Do not forget to look at your extra set of tires and tools.  

Properly keeping tires at the right pressure in summer heat may result in avoiding accidents as well as saving money on the gas pump. 

  1. Top-Off-Fluids  

There are a number of fluids your car depends on in order to run and all of them work extra hard when it is hot. Make sure that they are filled up.  

What to Look Out:  

  • Replace engine oil in case it is muddy, or you need an extension.  

  • Brake fluid  

  • Transmission fluid  

  • Delegator  

  • Screen or windshield washer fluid  

Check that there is sufficient levels of fluids and they are not contaminated. You should also consider using summer-grade oil especially as advised by your vehicle manufacturer. 

  1. Brake Inspection  

During the summer there tends to be more road trips, traffic and sudden stops. To manage the extra stress on your brakes, they have to be good.  

What should be done:  

  • Check brake rotors and brake pads.  

  • Pay attention to the squealing, grunting, or vibration during applying the brakes.  

  • Have clean filled brake fluid.  

When your brakes become flimsy or you observe an increase in the distances you are required to stop, they should be investigated. 

  1. Change Wiper Blades Check Washer System  

Weirdly enough, even summer rainstorms might be as dangerous as winter snow. To keep your visibility clear, your washer system and your wiper blades should be operable.  

What should be done:  

  • Changing of worn or smeary wiper blades.  

  • Make sure the spray coverage of your washer nozzles.  

  • Clean the reservoir in the washer with bug-resistant and road-grime resistant washer fluid.  

Vision is a priority all year round. 

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  1. Change or clean Air Filters  

Your engine and cabin air filters assist in keeping performance and comfort. The clogged filters limit the air circulation, which makes the engine, and the A/C system work hard.  

What should be done: 

  • Make sure to check your air filter of the engine, and replace, in case it is dirty.  

  • Change the cabin air filter to have cleaner air inside and improved HVAC performance. 

Clear filters have a relatively higher fuel consumption and a healthier car in-car environment. 

  1. Clean Your Car by Washing and Waxing  

It isn’t all about the beauty of the car but keeping the paint and under car free of the harmful UV rays, debris, bugs and residues of spring road salt that can be removed by washing and waxing.  

What should be done: 

  • Wash your car thoroughly as well as the underneath.  

  • Finish with a coat of wax, to help guard them against sun fading and damage.  

  • Polish the lights and clean the headlights so as to see better.  

Maintaining your car will increase resale prices and deterioration of the car. 

  1. Keep a Summer Emergency Pack  

Most drivers have in mind having a winter kit, but the idea of summer emergency kit in cars is also crucial, especially when travelling by road, or when it is extreme heat.  

What should be done: 

  • Bottled water  

  • Sunscreen  

  • Charger of a phone  

  • First aid bag  

  • Jumper cables  

  • Extra batteries and flashlight  

  • Tire patch repair kit or air compressor  

  • Contact numbers in case of emergency  

It is wise and prudent to be ready to overheat oneself as well as in the case of traffic jam and sudden breakdowns.  

Schedule Pre-Season Vehicle Check  

Feel the need to ensure that everything is in fine shape before summer sets in? Get a professional pre-summer check-up. Technicians will survey your complete car including loose parts and repair them because they may deteriorate later on when you are in long trips and exposed to heat exposure. 

Final Thoughts  

Driving in summer is supposed to be liberating, fun and comfortable, not concerning about some unexpected break-down and overheated engines. Spending a few minutes, reading such summer-ready vehicle checklist will feel like your car offer reliable and efficient performance during the warmest months of the year.  

It makes a difference whether you are out on a cross-country road trip or buzzing around your hometown, it is best to prepare. And, when you want to leave it up to the professionals, turn to the organization that is Berks Auto Repair in Reading, PA. We have full summer car services and vehicle check-ups to ensure that you have cool and smooth rides.