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Old man winter is almost gone and the sun rays are breaking through the clouds, which means it is time to open the garage and wake the summer car from its hibernation. The service team at Russell and Smith Mazda have offered to share some tips that can save any car owner time, expense, and aggravation this summer.

The obvious first step is checking the air pressure in the tires. Seasonal temperature changes affect tire pressures. Improper tire inflation affects ride quality and safety; remember that an over-inflated tire is just as potentially harmful as an under-inflated tire. It’s easy to forget to inflate the spare tire and check that the roadside tools (jack, lug-wrench, and wheel lock if necessary) are working properly.

Next make sure all of the fluids are full including radiator coolant, motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and wiper fluid. Pay close attention to the HOT and COLD level indicators and only fill to the proper line. There is no benefit to overfilling your fluids

Check that the battery is fully charged and the terminals are corrosion-free. The heat will drain a car battery quickly and summertime humidity will lead to build-up on the battery terminals.

An oft-overlooked piece of safe summer driving is the condition of the windshield wipers. There should be no cracks and the steel hooks should be clear of the glass surface. A new set of wiper blades costs around $20 and can really take the stress out of summer driving.

Finally check the serpentine belts for fissures and tightness. A cyclical squeaking noise is the first warning sign of impending belt failure. This belt typically runs the A/C compressor, alternator, and power steering so keeping a close eye on it can be the difference between a good running car and a ruined summer.

If you are not mechanically inclined bring your car to Russell&Smith Mazda’s Service Department. Don’t trust amatuer mechanics. With their well-equipped shops, OEM parts and the factory certified technicians, Russell&Smith Mazda can guarentee a safe and trouble-free summer road trip. There can be lots of stress planning a summer trip, but a solid inspection can provide assurance that your vehicle won’t be a problem.

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