Veteran mechanic reveals ‘least expensive’ way to prepare your car for summer and how to avoid seasonal problems that are ‘no fun’

A DEALERSHIP service manager suggests affordable methods to prepare your car for warmer climates.

An often overlooked system may also need attention before temperatures rise.

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Dustin Piggott, Service Manager at Subaru da Curva in Bend, Oregon, was a mechanic who ran his own shop before being promoted in Central Oregon.

Central Oregon experiences cold, snowy winters and hot, sunny summers – exposing vehicles to extremes that customers don’t know how to prepare for.

In an exclusive interview with The US Sun, Piggott suggested some ways to prepare your vehicle for rising temperatures, regardless of the weather.

“The least expensive way to keep your car running in the spring is to get an inspection and make sure maintenance is needed,” he said.

When vehicles are brought into a service center, it is common for technicians to perform visual inspections to assess the condition of fluids and tires and check for leaks.

However, the customer can request a multi-point visual inspection at any time as it is free of charge.

For a more in-depth inspection by a technician, the cost is $208 at your Piggott dealership, but the cost may vary depending on location and manufacturer.

A paid inspection will ask a technician to check the condition of the air conditioning and engine drive belts, air filters, battery, radiator hoses, and tires.

Important systems such as air conditioning, refrigeration, heating, brakes and power steering are inspected for leaks or malfunctions.

Paid in-depth inspections are commonly recommended to customers by Piggott, especially before driving long distances.

“We recommend that customers have a multi-point inspection before taking any extended trip,” he said.

“This is to ensure all fluids are full and to ensure your tires and brakes are in good working order. People often end up on the side of the road with a problem that could have been avoided if it had been detected before taking a long trip.”

As the weather sets in from above, many drivers neglect to inspect their air conditioning system for leaks.

Sometimes the system will need to be topped up with freon – something Piggott suggests doing well before temperatures rise.

“We also recommend having your air conditioning system checked in the spring,” Piggott said.

“As the weather gets warmer, we’re getting customers stating that their air conditioning isn’t working properly, which wouldn’t be a fun problem to have on a 90-degree day.”

Bend winters bring a measurable amount of snow and ice, which means many customers are coming to Piggott’s service center to exchange their summer or all-season tires for studded or non-studded winter tires.

Expert Advice on Preparing Your Car for Summer

Dustin Piggot, a service manager at a Subaru dealership with years of technical experience, told The US Sun in an exclusive interview what items drivers should have checked before temperatures soared:

1. Perform a multipoint inspection. A paid inspection will ask a technician to check vital systems like your brakes, power steering, and front and rear suspension for leaks or defects. They will also test the condition of the battery and check vital fluid levels and conditions.
2. Refrigeration system. Before things get hot, drivers should have their cooling system inspected for proper coolant levels and condition, evaluate radiator hoses, and check the radiator.
3. Check your air conditioning system. If the freon is low and needs to be charged or parts need to be replaced, it is essential to resolve the problem before the temperature rises.
4. Make sure your tires are suitable for warmer climates. If you live in a climate that requires a dedicated winter tire, switch to all-season or summer tires if possible to extend the life of your winter tire. Winter tires are softer and wear out much more quickly in warmer climates.
5. Observe the depth of the tread. Tires with low tread depth will make it more difficult to stop your car if you need to avoid an accident.
6. Give your car some TLC. Before it gets too hot, Piggott says it’s important to give your car a good cleaning to remove winter grime and grime and treat its paintwork with a nice coat of wax to protect it from harsh UV rays and high heat. Many dealerships like his offer detailing and washing services.

Read more here.

Local law states that studded winter tires must be removed by April 1 to prevent damage to roads.

While studless tires don’t need to be removed until a certain date, Piggott says leaving winter tires on can be costly.

“Customers will want to make sure their winter tires are removed when spring arrives,” he suggested.

“Many of our customers use studless winter tires and these do not need to be removed on time; however, it is still important to remove them because they can wear out much faster in warmer climates as the pavement heats up.”

A dedicated winter tire is made from softer rubber designed to remain flexible in cold temperatures, helping you regain and maintain traction on snow and ice.

Summer or all-season tires are made from a tougher rubber to resist heat – so soft rubber wears out much more quickly in higher temperatures.