Summer Car Maintenance: Why You Should Work on Your Car This Summer
Jun 12, 2019
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Summer is here, and if you don’t already have vacation plans, it can be a fantastic time to work on your car. Planning a total engine rebuild, some basic maintenance or something in between? Here are a few reasons why you should get in some summer car maintenance during the sunny season.
It’s a Great Excuse to Buy New Tools
Who doesn’t like shopping for new tools? When you’re working on your car, there’s nothing worse than needing a specific item and not being able to find it — we’re looking at you, a 10-millimeter socket — so use this summer as an excuse to do a little shopping for yourself and stock up on new equipment. All you really need to do basic work on a car is a set of sockets and a ratchet, some screwdrivers, adjustable wrenches and pliers.
Invest in a high-quality jack and stands to get your vehicle off the ground. This isn’t just for convenience — it will also help keep you safe while you’re under the hood or the car.
It’s Easy, With A Little Practice
If you’ve never turned a wrench in the garage, looking under the hood for the first time can be intimidating. Thankfully, with a little practice, working on your car can be pretty easy. Start small — with an oil change or topping off your fluids or changing your headlights — and work your way up to more complicated repairs. If you’re not sure where to start, head to YouTube or pick up a Haynes Manual for your particular make and model. If you are confused about something, ask for help.
You Don’t Need a Garage, but It Helps
In general, you don’t need a garage to work on your car — but it does help, especially if you live in an area that is prone to summer storms or you’ve got a homeowner’s association that forbids working in your driveway. If your garage is cluttered, now is the time to start sorting through everything that has overflowed from the rest of your house — figuring out what to keep, what to toss and what to sell.
It’s a Fantastic Way to Make New Friends
Working on your car is a great way to make new friends and spend time with the ones you already have. Hang out in the garage, learn new skills from one another and crack open a cold one once the job is done. You might be surprised how many of your friends are more than willing to get their hands dirty, either working on your car or their own.
Enjoy a Job Well Done
The best part of summer car maintenance is that once it’s over, you get to sit back and enjoy a job well done. Get your hands dirty, spend the summer working on your car and enjoy how smoothly it runs. You may never go back to the mechanic for simple jobs again — and eventually, you may find yourself building or rebuilding vehicles in the comfort of your garage for a fraction of the price.
