With summer road trips coming up, making sure your car is in top shape can make all the difference between smooth travels and roadside assistance. To get the best advice on summer car maintenance, we spoke with Gary Bryan, owner of Wheat Ridge Auto Services, who has been keeping local vehicles running for over 45 years.
According to Bryan, one of the biggest mistakes drivers make is neglecting their car’s cooling system. “Antifreeze level and hoses and belts probably would be the main concerns that I would want to check,” he says. “Coolant especially – make sure that the radiator is topped off.”
Extreme temperatures – whether hot or cold – put added stress on vehicles. While winter tends to get more attention for maintenance, summer can also be tough on cars, especially when it comes to battery life. “When it gets really, really hot or really, really cold, that’s when things break,” Bryan says.
While tire maintenance is important year-round, summer road trips can provide an extra level of wear and tear. “No matter what the temperature is, tires are always important,” Bryan says.
Neglecting summer maintenance can lead to expensive repairs down the line. A small coolant leak might not seem urgent, but if it leads to an overheated engine, you could be looking at major damage. An old, cracked belt might work fine – until it snaps halfway through a long drive.
While some car maintenance is best left to the professionals, Bryan says drivers can perform a few simple checks themselves:
• Coolant Levels: To avoid burns, always make sure the engine is cool before checking.
• Belts and Hoses: Look for cracks or fraying on belts and hoses.
• Battery Health: “Batteries can be working one minute, and the next they’re out,” Bryan says. He suggests thinking about a new battery if yours is older than 5 years – 3-4 years if it’s a cheaper brand.
• Tire Pressure and Tread: Under-inflated or worn tires can lower fuel efficiency and increase the risk of a flat tire.
Despite his extensive experience, Bryan doesn’t actively advertise his shop. “I’ve been in this business 25 years, and I don’t do any advertising,” he says. Instead, his business succeeds on word of mouth and a no-nonsense approach to car repair. “If we see something obvious, then I’ll absolutely bring it to a customer’s attention, but we’re not looking to create problems where there aren’t any.”
Bryan, who has been in the business for decades, is an advocate for reliable vehicles. “The best advice I can give is, ‘Buy a Toyota,” he says with a laugh. “They owe me a car for all the Toyotas I’ve sold over the years.”
Before hitting the road this summer, take a few simple steps to keep your vehicle in good condition. A little preparation now can prevent headaches and costly repairs down the road.
Wheat Ridge Auto Services is located at 9205 W 44th Ave and can be reached at (303) 421-2447.
