Take Care of Your Ford with Summer Car Maintenance

The summer weather around Berkeley and Hercules, California, can put added stress on your Ford car, truck, SUV, or EV. Fortunately, the Hilltop Ford service team has experience keeping Ford vehicles running smoothly when the heat and humidity arrive.

Our summer car maintenance checklist includes routine oil changes, air conditioning checkups, and wiper blade replacements. Several maintenance steps are easy to do on your own, and you can schedule the rest through our online service scheduling tool.

Following the Recommended Maintenance Schedule

All Ford vehicles have recommended maintenance schedules with time intervals for oil changes, fluid flushes, and brake services. Your knowledgeable Hilltop Ford services advisors can help you understand what your vehicle needs based on Ford recommended service and your driving habits. For example, if you use your Ford F-150 to tow your boat or camper through the hills around the San Francisco area, then you might need more frequent oil changes and tire services.

Before you set out on your summer road trips, we recommend bringing your Ford to the Hilltop Ford service center for a multi-point inspection. Our factory-trained and certified technicians will inspect your vehicle’s tire pressure, tire tread wear, air filter, fluids, and windshield wipers. If they find any wear-and-tear issues, your service advisor will recommend the next steps to keep your Ford running smoothly throughout the summer months.

Another important summer maintenance tip involves taking care of your air conditioning. No one wants to be surprised by a broken air conditioning system after hitting the road for a summer vacation. The Hilltop Ford technicians can also check the coolant and other AC components to ensure you’ll stay cool when the temperatures skyrocket.

The summer heat and humidity can affect the viscosity and effectiveness of your Ford’s fluids. When you bring your Ford to our service center for a multi-point inspection, you can request a fluid inspection so our techs check your transmission fluid, cooling system, power steering fluid, and brake fluids. Being proactive prevents problems from occurring when you’re on the road.

How You Can Help

Most of our summer car care tips involve appointments at Hilltop Ford, but there are several things you can do to keep your car looking great and running well. When you bring your Ford to our dealership for an oil and oil filter change, our technicians check your tire pressure.

Between oil changes, you can check your tire pressure with your vehicle’s tire pressure monitoring system or with a tire pressure tool. The changing temperatures can push the pressure up and down, which can affect your Ford’s fuel economy, alignment, and driving quality.

We also recommend keeping your car clean with regular car washes. On the hottest days, park your Ford in the shade to protect the exterior paint and interior finishes. Your steering wheel and seats will be cooler when you enter the car if you park in the shade.

Where to Schedule Summer Car Maintenance Near Richmond, CA

Hilltop Ford has factory-trained and certified mechanics who can do everything from routine oil-level checks to complex auto repair services. Before scheduling your service visit, check online for our money-saving specials on services and parts.