Whether it’s a Father’s Day gift or simply a gift to yourself as a car owner, a summer tune-up is a good way to keep your car running smoothly and safely. The annual salute to Dads is a good time to think about summer car care, since this is when most of us spend more time in our cars, vacationing or taking weekend or day trips.
“A few simple steps at the start of the summer can keep your car running smoothly, safely and efficiently,” says Paul Dintino, an ASE Master Technician and Director of National Accounts at Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care, a brand with locations across the U.S. that services almost any make or model vehicle, foreign or domestic.
Easy Car Checkup
Here is what to look for when doing a summer vehicle checkup:
- Check the tire pressure.
Dintino recommends checking the air pressure in all the tires. The recommended air pressure varies by make and model, so it’s important to refer to the owner’s manual. It’s important not to exceed the recommended pressure, especially in the summer when air temperatures and road surfaces are hotter since air expands with heat. Maintaining the proper tire pressure helps provide a safe and smooth ride, and it also helps with fuel efficiency, since under-inflated tires add friction that works against the engine.
- Be sure the air filter is clean. It’s important to check the air filter to be sure it’s clean. A dirty filter prevents the proper amount of air to get into the system, and an improper mixture of fuel and air retards the efficiency of combustion in the engine, lowering the gas mileage.
- Check wheel alignment.
The wheels should be checked at least once a year for proper alignment, Dintino says. “It’s especially important to check the wheel alignment after a rough winter since icy roads and potholes can knock the alignment off,” he adds. Improper wheel alignment can be costly, since it causes tires to wear unevenly and more quickly, and it also creates more drag which lowers gas mileage.
- Check the coolant.
Coolant helps prevent the water in the radiator from boiling and evaporating, which can leave you stranded. Running the engine without proper coolant can also cause major engine damage. It’s especially important in the warm weather of summer when air temperatures are higher and the car’s air conditioning is often in use.
Many of the new cars have what’s called “closed systems” which cannot be opened without proper equipment, so it’s best to have a service center check the water level and the amount of coolant. If you have an older model that enables you to open the radiator, only do so when the car is cold. Never open the radiator cap after the car has been running or serious injury could occur.
- Check your brakes.
Don’t wait until you hear your brakes squeak, Dintino says. Brakes should be checked once a year, and the start of the summer driving season is a good time to have it done.
Good Father’s Day Gift
“Some advance care as the summer begins can help keep your car running smoothly and safely,” says Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care’s Dintino. And that’s a great father’s day gift for any dad or car owner.
The customer service was concerned about the parking area for my vehicle for overnight early bird service.They called me to inform me they were gonna check back with me before any services on my vehicle were done with my approval which, made me comfortable to know they showed responsibility in their work.
Fast, friendly, reliable and fair. I ended up having to get my town & country transmission repaired/replaced & my spark plugs replaced right before Christmas this past year & they said they could do it the next day if I could leave it that day. Well I didn't have a ride home & my other car needed a jump start since we hadn't driven it much. The owner not only offered to drive me home, but also jump start my other car so I could of get my niece from school. If that's not service, I don't know what is. They also ened up doing my 2014 escape transmission the yr b4. They were recommended by a friend & I would recommend them as well.
I purchased a "newly" used vehicle and was concerned about transmission issues and they made sure I was taken care of. The staff was extremely friendly and polite, and not only did they provide me with all the necessary services I needed, they also educated me. I would highly recommend this location.
The service was great. Someone recommended them to me. They took care of the issue I was having with my vehicle with no issues. I’ll be going to them from here on out!
A very satisfied customer
Staff were all professional. Manager was a saint, gentleman, and scholar. Great company with excellent values. I would highly recommend them.
Kevin and his entire staff are the best. I had a brake caliper fail and they took care of very quickly and for a great price. Since then, I had new flare fenders with led lights installed on my Jeep Wrangler. Same great service and value.
I have been taking my vehicles to Cottman for the last year and I have never been disappointed. Kevin is the General Manager and I have known him personally for several years. This is an honest shop with quality work and great, trustworthy employees. Law Enforcement friendly, which is a major plus. It is hard to find a reliable place for vehicles now and days so skip the stress and take your vehicles here.
I love this place. came here a few years back, great work. just came in recently, wanted to wait a few days for the review.let me tell you Vicki was amazing and as helpful as can be and kevin did repair and excellent job on my transmission as well as work with me . had a world of trouble with my warranty place but they did their best to help with it all and my car is running excellent. will be back soon for oil change and any future repairs. thanks guys.
I love this place. came here a few years back, great work. just came in recently, wanted to wait a few days for the review.let me tell you Vicki was amazing and as helpful as can be and kevin did repair and excellent job on my transmission as well as work with me . had a world of trouble with my warranty place but they did their best to help with it all and my car is running excellent. will be back soon for oil change and any future repairs. thanks guys.
My experience at Cottman was awesome! The waiting lounge was very clean and looked great. The front desk staff was kind and personable. My wheels got aligned very quickly and they did a great job for an awesome price! The owner is extremely professional and quite handsome as well.
Best shop to have your vehicle repaired. Professional and timely. Owner gives fair prices and easy to work with. I would highly recommend to anyone.
The work was excellent and done in a timely manner. Found the best pri
ce for the work needed!!!
Great customer service!! The staff was very attentive. A issue arose while they were working on my vehicle, and the mechanics diagnosed it and where back on track in no time. What I liked the most was that they kept me in the loop while they tried to find a resolution.
Fast and efficient service.
