Of course, it’s a good idea to prepare your car for winter. The bitter cold, ice and snow in McHenry County will ferret out any weakness and play havoc with a vehicle. Summer, however, will also test a car. That’s why it’s also a good idea to prepare your vehicle for the summer ahead.

Consider this your McHenry County Summer Automotive Survival Guide. Paying attention to the tips below will help ensure that you and your car make it through another McHenry County summer none the worse for the wear.

• Change that oil. Oil is the lifeblood of a car’s engine. That’s not just a cute way to put it; it’s entirely accurate. As Dracula drinks blood from an unfortunate maiden, she’ll begin to turn pale. Eventually, she’ll die and come back as a vampire, as well. An engine drained of oil will also die. The parts inside will fuse together as the heat rises way beyond tolerances.
More than merely having oil in the engine, it’s imperative that the oil is clean and has its full lubricating capacity. When it’s dirty and tired the oil is harmful to an engine. The car’s engine may not die a quick death but will surely burn its heart well before its prime. The key is to have a transfusion of fresh oil at prescribed intervals. For your car’s individual prescription, see your owner’s manual.
• The magical transformation of antifreeze into coolant. Actually, no magician is necessary. That other vital engine fluid has a dual purpose that makes it effective, hopefully, in winter and summer. Once again – clean and fresh is the key.
Just as motor oil loses its mojo after a while, coolant isn’t as cool when its old, dirty and tired. Having your coolant checked will ensure that it survived the winter with its cooling properties intact. If it’s too old, it’s time to flush and replace.
More than just the coolant, you need to consider the entire cooling system. Does it leak? Does the water pump pump? Does the thermostat hold back the water when it’s cool and let it flow when it’s hot (when it flows it goes from the engine through the radiator where it is air cooled before its return to the engine)? Preparing the vehicle for summer includes checking all these factors.
• Tune up the AC before you turn it up. It doesn’t help turning the car’s air conditioner on if it doesn’t work or isn’t up to snuff. Of course, maybe you want to know how it felt driving back in the ‘50s and before without air conditioning. But, if you’re not motivated by nostalgia, you may choose to be cool.
If the AC doesn’t work at all, a qualified auto repair shop, such as Performance Unlimited in Ringwood, can find out why. But, the problem isn’t always all or nothing.
“After a while, a car’s air conditioning needs a recharge,” said Denny Norton, the owner of Performance Unlimited. “If everything else is working properly, that’s a fairly quick and easy fix.”
A sub-performing automotive air conditioner may put out some cool air but it won’t cool as quickly or efficiently. An AC tune up will fix that problem.
• Other than keeping your car properly tuned, you steering and suspension in proper working order, ensuring your tires are in good shape, the other part of preparing your vehicle for the McHenry County summer ahead is more personal. For instance, keep some water on hand. Make sure your cell phone is charged and let someone know where you’re going, what route you’ll take and when you expect to arrive. Otherwise, simply enjoy the summer.