5 Tips to Keep Your Foreign Cars in Summer Ready Condition

Summer conjures prospects of sunny days, beach parties, and driving with the roof down. Unfortunately, unlike humans, cars don’t adapt to the weather. 

Extreme weather changes can be brutal to cars, and places like Rangeley, Colorado, experience temperature differences of 87° F. You have to change a few things if your beauty is to last the summer unscathed.

45% of all cars and trucks on US soil in 2019 were from overseas. And those are as different from American rides as chalk and cheese. Since foreign cars play by different rules, here are five tips on preparing your foreign cars in summer conditions.

1. Check Tires and Tire Pressure

As any car buff knows, the first thing you should do is check all the tires. Ensure there are no cuts, gouges, and sidewall bulges. If you have a worn-out tire, replace it.

Check tire pressure when the tires are cool. Then, pump up to the appropriate pressure per the car manufacturer’s recommendation. It’s in the owner’s manual and the driver’s door jamb.

You’re in luck if you hate the manual work and are around Hartford, CT. Just pop into Roggi’s Auto Service; we have specialists always getting foreign cars in summer shape. In addition, our mechanics have undergone training to give your imported car or truck some TLC. 

2. Refill Oil and Other Fluids

Ensure the brake, engine oils, coolant gearbox, and steering fluids are at optimum levels. When refilling fluids, use products that meet the specification demanded in the owner’s manual.

Modern cars may have sealed mechanical transmissions with no dipstick and electric power steering that doesn’t need refilling.

3. Inspect Climate and Coolant System

The climate control system will cool your car’s cabin. A coolant system prevents engine overheating by circulating cooling fluids through the engine block. Ensure both systems are in good condition before you begin your summer drive.

If you had replaced the coolant within one year, top off with a mixture of 50:50 water and coolant. Otherwise, replace coolant if it has been in place for more than a year. 

You don’t need to be a car buff to get all that done. Visit a car service and let knowledgeable mechanics get your foreign cars in summer condition. They will pressure-test the system, replace the refrigerant, and eliminate any problems. 

4. Check Belts and Hoses

Examine belts and hoses regularly by looking out for fraying and cracking. 

Check the tightness of belts when the engine is off. Press down every belt with a thumb; replace it if it gives by more than a quarter-inch. Examine hoses when the car is running. Lift and fasten the hood and listen for hissing sounds.

To find a leak in a hose, carefully run your palm across its surface. If there’s a leak, you will feel your fingers dragging against the hose, and the idle of the car may alter as you cover the hole.

5. Examine the Battery

An old battery may not survive summer, so replace it if it’s towards the end of its useful life. Older batteries won’t handle the heavy electric demands that the lights, audio, navigation, and climate control system will place on them.

Newer batteries can fail if corrosion accumulates, so remove decay with baking soda, a hand tool, and cover with petroleum jelly.

Final Thought On Keeping Foreign Cars in Summer Conditions

You can maintain foreign cars in summer condition by keeping tires in good shape and properly inflated, refilling the oil and coolant, and fixing the hoses and belts.

If you’re not sure about your competence, a mechanic will do. One such business is Roggi’s Auto—voted ‘Best Auto Service and Repair Shop’ in Hartford, CT, fourteen years running.

Moreover, this local dealer has high-quality auto parts for all repair jobs. That gives you the peace of mind that the part is as good as an OEM part. Most importantly, they treat every customer like family.