July 2019

While you might get some time off from work in the summer, and the kids definitely get plenty of time off from school, your vehicle gets less than no time off. In fact, it might be in overdrive because of vacations and other activities. The warmer months can be a challenge for any car, and you’ll need to pay special attention to auto repair in Philadelphia, PA so you can keep things running smoothly. Here are a few tips to help you keep your vehicle in shape throughout the summer months.

Tip 1: Check Out The Coolant System

Staying cool in the car is of utmost importance as the temperature rises. Check coolant fluids in the vehicle every now and then and watch for leaks in hoses and among joints. On your own, you can squeeze hoses once the engine cools down to see that they are firm and not squishy and soft. If you notice the car feeling humid and warm way too often, get the car in for auto repairs before you’re sweating up a storm.

Tip 2: Change Wipers

Your wipers may have gone through a lot during the winter and spring so it’s a good time to get new wipers to prevent streaks. You may not see much rain, but you will probably hit a lot of bugs on the highway and it’s good to have new wipers that won’t streak as much. Replacing wipers is cheap and easy to do.

Tip 3: Keep An Eye On Tire Pressure

Tires are something to keep an eye on all year, but in the summer, when you’re about to take a long road trip, you really need to know what’s going on. Check their pressure often to ensure they are at the optimum level. Keep in mind that tire pressure can change with temperatures, but if you notice one tire changing faster than the others, it may have a slow leak. Watch for nails and other items in the road that can have a negative impact on your tires during this building season. And ensure that the tread isn’t too low, too.

Tip 4: Get The Fluids Checked

When you take your vehicle in for an oil change and tire rotation, have the other fluids checked and topped off, if necessary. Technicians can check everything from power-steering to windshield wiper fluids. These are liquids that never stop being used and you need to make sure you don’t run out at a bad time.

These are just a few tips to help you get by with the right auto repair in Philadelphia, PA over the summer months. If you need more advice, or you want to make an appointment for a tune-up, contact the professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center at (215) 755-1270. We’re here to help with any auto questions you have. You can stop into our shop as well at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 and the SAR representatives will get your vehicle back on the road in safe driving conditions.

There’s no avoiding the heat of the summer, but there are things you can do to protect your vehicle from some of the ailments of the summer season. Keep up with auto repair in Philadelphia, PA and do some of these things to make the most of your vehicle investment.

Park In The Shade

You likely don’t leave your laptop or phone in the car when it gets super-hot because you don’t want them to be damaged by the heat. Cars have a lot of computer systems in them as well and while they will likely still operate, heat isn’t the best thing for them. Parking in the shade will prolong the life of those systems within your vehicle and keep it cooler than possible otherwise.

Avoid Hot Drives

You know you can keep cool in your car if you have a good air conditioning system, but the hottest times of the day and of the year can have an impact on the engine and other parts of the vehicle. When the mercury is rising, avoid the hottest times of the day, like between noon and three in the afternoon, to keep your vehicle in the best working order.

Get A Sun Shade

There isn’t always shade to park in and you can’t always protect all of your vehicle from the summer elements, but if you hate getting into a scorching hot car with a steering wheel you can’t touch, and you worry about the sun fading the interior colors, get a sun shade and be diligent about putting it up in your vehicle when it’s parked somewhere sunny for a long period of time.

Crack The Windows

Air inside a sealed-up car can be stifling. While it will still feel hot, cracking the windows and the sunroof, if you have one, is a great way to keep at least a little air flowing through the vehicle so it won’t be quite as bad when you get back.

Keep It Clean

You might not see as much dirt as in the winter when there’s salt and sand on the road, but dirt and grim can get baked onto your car in the heat. Keep it clean with frequent rinses and washings to make sure dried dirt doesn’t damage the paint.

When you need advice about protecting your vehicle, the professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center are here to help. Call us at (215) 755-1270 and get tips on auto repair in Philadelphia, PA and how you can take preventative measures in the summer as well. We’re located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’ll help with everything from oil changes to brake repairs and then some. SAR wants your vehicle to be as safe as possible and that means regular oil changes and tune-ups to keep everything operating in the most effective and efficient manner. We love to keep track of everything your car needs so you don’t have to think about those things yourself.

With summer arriving, it’s easy to think about where you’re going to go and what adventures you’ll have in mind. That might mean a trip to the auto repair shop in Philadelphia, PA is in store so you can ensure your vehicle is road ready and as safe as possible for the trips you want to take. But you might also want to take a close look at the automotive market because there are hundreds of gadgets that can make your summer traveling experience more comfortable, more entertaining, and even safer. Here are a few to consider:

The Travel Cooler

There are many different travel coolers on the market and if you don’t want to pull over at every rest stop because you or someone riding with you is hungry or thirsty, they make traveling a lot easier. You can get a regular cooler, or you can get a car travel cooler that plugs into the vehicle so you have a mini refrigerator you can pack with sandwiches, drinks, and snacks.

The Pet Protective Cover

Some of your trips might mean taking the family dog along, which can be very fun, but also a big pain. You know summer is shedding season and you’d rather not spend the rest of the year trying to get the hair off your back seats. Pet proof seat covers are easy on the upholstery, but even easier on the clean-up duty.

A Work Station

Taking a vacation away from work is easier said than done. When your significant other is driving and the kids are happy, there’s no reason why you can’t get some work done. Get a vehicle desk that can act as a portable office. You can put your laptop on it and there are even some stations that have hanging systems for files or office supplies that fold up when you aren’t using them.

A Key Finder

There’s nothing worse than trying to climb back into your car on vacation to go to the next event only to find your keys are missing. There are great key finders on the market now that allow you to place a tile on your keyring and then download an app so you can see right where you keys are at all times through a GPS map locator. This might even come in handy around the house once you get home!

When you are ready for auto repair in Philadelphia, PA, do some online research in the waiting room and see which of these other products might come in useful to you as you hit the road with your family this summer. And, before you go, make sure everything looks good on your vehicle. The professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center are here to help. Give us a call at (215) 755-1270 and we’ll fit in an oil change, tire rotation, and full inspection as well as anything else you need. You can visit us at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 for your auto repair needs.

When you take your vehicle in for Philadelphia, PA auto repair, whether you need an oil change, new brake pads, or something else, the technician might ask you if you would like a tire rotation as well. This is a good idea for a number of reasons. Here are some such reasons:

Even Wear

Think about the way your tires operate. It makes sense that tires on the left side will wear on certain spots more than tires on the right side and vice versa. If you flip those tires around and rotate them into different positions, they will be able to wear on the opposite side, which will expand their lifetime. If you leave the tires in one location at all times and never rotate them, they will wear down too far in one spot and you will have to replace them sooner.

An Easy Ride

Your vehicle won’t feel as smooth or operate as well if the tires aren’t balanced. When you don’t rotate the tires, that’s exactly what can happen. The tread will wear down in certain spots and you may be able to feel that in the ride your vehicle gives you. It’s best to have a vehicle that feels smooth because that means things are likely going right in a number of ways.

Tire rotations help you to have a safe vehicle. If you never rotate the tires and allow them to get worn, they can be downright dangerous. Your vehicle could start to pull to the side, or you might not have enough traction if you need to brake quickly. You could even have poor handling when you hit curves. Worn tires can also be noisy and they simply can’t be fixed. Once they’re worn in an uneven manner, you will have to replace them and that gets expensive. It’s much cheaper to have your tires rotated when you get oil changes or at other times.

Usually, tire rotation every 5-6,000 miles is a good idea. You will want to ask your technician what’s right for your vehicle and the tires you have on it. Tires are expensive and you want to keep them in good shape for as long as possible. You’ll also want your vehicle to maintain its safety levels for you and your family.

When you are ready for any kind of Philadelphia, PA auto repair, contact the experts at Schafer’s Auto Center by calling (215) 755-1270. You may not remember when your last tire rotation was and that’s okay. Ask us to take a look at your tires and we’ll let you know if that needs to be done or not. You can stop by and ask questions or have us take a look at your tires at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148. At SAR, we want your vehicle to run as well and as safely as possible for as long as possible. We give honest advice and won’t do things unless they really need to be done.