Summer is officially in full-swing: temperatures are soaring, and the cottage season is finally here. These hot temperatures and extra kilometres can take a big toll on your vehicle, so it’s important to prepare. Here are some important steps to take to ensure your vehicle keeps on rollin’ through the steamy summer months.

Change your tires

The first and probably most obvious step in “summerizing” your car is removing your snow tires and installing lighter summer tires that will improve fuel economy. Furthermore, winter tires aren’t meant to operate above seven degrees Celsius (as they have a lower boiling point), so they will actually wear down a lot faster than summer or all-season tires.

Inspect the brakes

Brakes are arguably one of the most important features on your car. It’s not such a big deal if your car can’t accelerate, but if it can’t break, that’s a different story.

If you feel any wobbling or pulsating when you apply your brakes, or if you hear any odd noises, be sure to have your brakes inspected. Even better, have the mechanic inspect them while they have your wheels off for changing.

Change the oil

The beginning of summer is a great time to change your oil as well, as your car will likely already be in the shop for tires.

Oil is the lifeblood of your engine, and the hot summer days can take a toll on your engine; fresh oil will make it easier on your already-overworked machine. Most manufacturers recommend changing oil once every 5,000 kilometres or every few months, whichever comes first.

Change the air filter

Summer means smog, and no one wants to breathe in smog, not even your engine!

A fresh air filter will ensure your vehicle is running on the cleanest air possible, and a new cabin air filter will make sure you are too! Ask your mechanic to pop it out and replace it at the shop.

Change your wipers

Windshield wipers don’t last nearly as long as you’d expect, and having a clear view during those summer downpours is crucial. Change your wipers often and you won’t have to worry about getting caught in those unexpected downpours.

Recharge your air conditioning

While not vital to the operation of your vehicle, if you feel like your air con isn’t as cool as it used to be, you might need to recharge your air conditioning. This involves refilling the refrigerant in your system if it’s leaky or even replacing or fixing it if needed.

Buying your first car can be a daunting process! There are a few things you need to do in order to make the experience as smooth and inexpensive as possible.

Buy used

It’s no secret that new cars depreciate as soon as you drive them off the lot: according to Edmunds.com, new cars depreciate and average of 11 per cent the moment those wheels hit the city streets.

That means if you purchase a $20,000 vehicle, as soon as you get the keys and drive away, the car is worth $17,800.

Of course, this is just an average, and some cars depreciate faster than others do; however, if you purchase a used vehicle, you’re avoiding this steep initial depreciation.

Some consumers might worry that purchasing a used car is riskier than buying a new one—they’re unsure if the vehicle has had any accidents, or they’re concerned it could be a lemon. However, there are online services that allow you to look at the history of a vehicle, so in most cases this isn’t an issue.

Bring an experienced buyer

Car salesmen are good at what they do—selling cars at the highest possible margins. Often times, we consumers are fixated on certain models or trim levels because we’ve been exposed to excellent marketing campaigns from car companies or dealerships.

The problem is, when we’re buying our first car, often times we’re caught up in the moment. Consumers can forget that they’re trying to save money, and can get upsold on trim levels and things like rustproofing. Having an experienced buyer there with you to provide a sober second thought could end up saving you thousands.

Do your research

Cars are big purchases, so it’s important to make the right one. Using trusted websites like Car and Driver to look at reviews of vehicles by class will help you narrow it down.

It’s also important to take a look at the safety ratings of the vehicle. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) publishes comprehensive and up-to-date safety ratings on most vehicles. They provide videos of every crash test so you know how your car is going to handle even the worst of crashes.

Stay within reason

Are you looking for a car to get you from A to B? Then avoid an unnecessary vehicle like a pickup truck or a crossover/SUV. The fuel ratings should be a factor in your decision, as well as insurance costs. Performance vehicles should be avoided if you want to save, as they generally cost more to insure.

Compare insurance rates

One of the final steps to the car buying process is shopping for the best insurance rate. Just as car companies are great at marketing, so too are insurance companies. Don’t get caught up in the plethora of advertisements, and be sure to use a tool like our instant quote page to compare insurance rates from up to 15 different companies in just minutes. Different car insurance companies have different profit margins and financial structures, so rates can vary wildly. It pays to shop around!