Now that you know which Jeep models are the best for summer adventures, it’s time to figure out how to get your vehicle ready for the hottest season of the year. While some of these tips may not apply if your vehicle is brand-new, there’s plenty of good information for Jeep and RAM owners alike to get your vehicle ready for summer. The following guide takes a look at things like tires, fluids, and even off-road essentials to make sure you and your ride are ready for wherever your adventures take you.
Check Your Tires
Your tires are the foundation of your vehicle, and winter isn’t the only season that can wreak havoc on them. When summer heat causes air to expand, it could lead to the accidental over-inflation of your tires. You’ll want to check your tire pressure on a regular basis, which can be quite easy if you have a modern Jeep or RAM with TPMS installed. Otherwise you may have to manually check each tire’s pressure every couple of weeks to make sure everything is as it should be.
- You should also inspect the tread at your earliest convenience, checking for things like uneven wear and whether or not you have enough tread depth. Hydroplaning becomes a concern even in the spring, so the earlier you check the better.
- Get a tire rotation and balance if it’s been more than 5,000 miles since the last time you got either service. This can extend the life of your tires and improve fuel efficiency, which just might be more important now than ever.
Check Your Fluids
Your vehicle requires a multitude of fluids to operate, much more than just oil and gas. It’s a good idea to check the levels of these fluids every few months to make sure they don’t need to be topped off, but you should check again throughout the summer any time your vehicle sits out in extreme heat as higher temperatures can cause evaporation.
- You should consider a coolant system flush depending on your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. Coolant prevents your engine from overheating, so it’s one fluid that you should consider more than just topping off.
- Other fluids to check include your engine oil, of course, but also brake, transmission, differential, and windshield washer fluid are all important as well.
Check Your A/C
Even if you drive a Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator, each of which has the ability to drive with the roof and doors completely removed and the windshield folded forward, it’s important that your air conditioning system is operational throughout the summer. You never know when you’ll need to cool off the cabin because the heat outside becomes unbearable. So test your A/C to make sure it’s blowing cold, and bring it in for an inspection if something doesn’t seem right. You might consider a cabin air filter replacement as well if it’s looking dirty or filled with debris.
Prepare for the Trails
The only thing left to do is prepare for the trails, which means it’s time to inspect your off-road essentials. Check to make sure all of your recovery gear is operational and in good condition, give your undercarriage a thorough wash, and think about any upgrades that you’ve been considering. Now is the perfect time to soup up your off-road beast with additional aftermarket enhancements that you don’t yet have. Light bars? Body armor? Haven’t installed a winch yet? Check out Glover Customs for inspiration.
If you have any questions about any of the tips we’ve recommended today, feel free to give us a call at Jim Glover CDJRF. Otherwise be sure to schedule an appointment if