How to Prepare Your Ford for Summer

The scorching heat of summer can be very hard on your Ford. The air in the vehicle tires expand due to heat and the hot weather also makes the car’s air conditioner system work harder. Not only that, but the harsh sun accelerates wear on belts and hoses. However, you can minimize the effects of the heat on your Ford by taking the right precautions.

A few months ago, we shared some tips to help you prepare your Ford for winter. Now as the weather has started to shift and it will soon get hotter, we are going to help you prepare your Ford for summer. So, without further ado, let’s get down to the business of car maintenance in summer.

1.  Check Tire Pressure

You could be using snow tires during the winter season. They are of great help in the cold months but won’t do you any good in summer. In fact, winter tires wear out much quicker on dry, warm roads. Remove all the winter tires if you were using them with your Ford vehicle and replace them with summer tires.

In addition to changing the tires, it is also important that check the pressure in them. Tires of your vehicle should be properly inflated. Proper inflation ensures the best possible contact between your tires and road. If you are driving with an improperly inflated tire, there is a risk of a blowout which could lead to a fatal collision. Therefore, check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to find the right tire pressure.

You should check the pressure in the tires when they are cold so do this in the morning. Properly inflated tires are critical to your safety and the safety of your passengers so always focus on this important aspect in both the summer and winter months.

2.  Check the Air Conditioning System

You might not have used your Ford’s air-conditioner in winter but you certainly can’t live without it in the scorching heat of July. Before the mercury starts to rise, check the air conditioner to see if it is working fine and blowing cold air. Pay attention to strange odors and noises. If you don’t know how to check the air conditioner, take it to a reliable mechanic. If the system is making noises or not blowing cold air, it would have to be serviced or repaired. Get it into optimal working condition before summer hits to ensure that you aren’t left to suffer in the heat.

3.  Don’t Forget the All-Important Under-the-Hood Inspection

You may have not opened the hood during the winter season and we don’t really blame you – it is hard to focus on maintenance when the temperature drops below freezing point. But, now the weather is warming up so you can easily give your Ford a quick inspection. Before opening the hood, make sure that your Ford’s engine is cold. The items you need to check for include:

·  Oil

In the past, experts recommended lighter oil for winter and a heavier one for the summer months. However, this advice is now outdated and doesn’t apply to Ford vehicles of today. The oil needs of modern Ford cars aren’t very specific and their engines can withstand a wider range of temperatures when the factory oil is used. Check your Ford’s owner’s manual to see the type of oil your Ford needs.

If you have been putting off an oil change because of the cold, consider taking your Ford for service. If you can’t afford to have your vehicle serviced, check the oil level and top it off it is too low. Keep an eye on the oil throughout summer and fill it up when required.

·  Battery


Check the battery terminals for corrosion. If there is corrosion, then clean it off with a toothbrush and baking soda. You can find plenty of information on how to get this done. Just make to open the hood again after a few weeks to see if the corrosion returns or not. If the corrosion does come back, there could be a more serious problem.

·  Coolant

Check the coolant in the reservoir – see both its condition and level. If the coolant appears cloudy, you will have to replace it. If it is clear and low in level, top it off using a pre-diluted mixture. Watch this video if you aren’t sure about how to check the coolant and what you should be looking out for.  

·  Brake Fluid

It is critical to maintaining an adequate brake fluid level. If it looks low, don’t just top it off. In many cases, the level drops to match wear on the brake pads. Moreover, a low level may be a sign of a leak, in which case there’s no point of topping it off as you would eventually have to get the leak fixed. If your brake fluid level is low, take your Ford to a mechanic.

4.  Check the Wiper Blades and Wiper Fluids

Visibility is important no matter what the weather. You might not have used your wiper fluid much during the winter if it didn’t rain. You still need to check the fluid reservoir and if necessary, top it off. Check the wiper blades of your Ford too. If the rubber has worn out, the wiper will struggle to keep the water off of your windshield when it rains. Run the wipers with washer fluid and if they streak your windshield, replace the blades.

5.  Wash the Car

Once you have checked every important part of your Ford, the last thing you have to do is wash your vehicle. You might have ignored washing your vehicle during the winter months, as the snow would’ve ruined it anyway, but start fresh in summer. Cleaning job will probably last longer in summer, so get your Ford ready for the road trip with a car wash.

That is all you have to do to prepare your Ford for summer. If you want to add a few accessories to your vehicle for summer, check out some at Ford Parts Center. For more information and the latest news about Ford, stay tuned to our blog