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How to Maintain Your Car in Top Shape in the Summer?

June 23, 2020

Summers can prove to be brutal on our bodies, as well as being inside our cars.

The high temperature during the summertime can cause heat strokes and sunburns. Similarly, heat can disastrously affect the interior as well as the exterior components of your car.

By maintaining the condition of your car frequently, you will have better chances of keeping your vehicle in good running conditions.

Dust, grime, and heat are the obvious reality of summer days. These factors are also the worst enemies of your car. Our cars are caught in between the rain, heat, and long hours of exposure to sunlight.

Car repairing can be very expensive if you leave the problem unattended for a long time. However, regular maintenance will leave your vehicle in good shape and reduce unnecessary expenses.

There are many easy and cost-effective ways to keep your car operating in the best condition, even throughout the hot summer months. Here are some quick tips to keep your car running in top-notch condition throughout every seasonal change:

Keep a check of your tires: Heat is a cruel agent for your car tires so always follow a regular check of them. Rotate the car tires and check for unevenness or wear and tears. Fill the tires with the required air pressure because overinflating it can cause a blowout and wear before time. You should also take your car to a tire service near your neighborhood to prevent risky situations.

The electrical system: Summer heat is really bad for your car battery, and it can specifically be terrible for your car’s electrical system. So, make sure you have the electrical system checked for malfunctioning wirings.

Understanding what is under the hood: To prevent your car from breaking down in the middle of the road, there are some things you need to do. Be familiar with the different fluids that go inside your car. Learn where those fluids are located in the car by driving to the auto repair near your locality and asking an experienced mechanic. Cars come with a user manual which can also be a resourceful answer to all your queries.

Keep your car cool: Summer heat can spike the temperature of your car, so take note of the temperature gauge in case it indicates for a higher than normal temperature. A spike in the temperature can cause mechanical problems that might require immediate fixing. What you can do in cases when your car temperature rises is to turn off the engine and wait for it to cool down.

Refill the coolant: Check the level of the coolant and top it up. Be careful while you are filling up the coolant because if your engine has been running a few minutes back, then it will be hot and risky. Depending on the type of car, you can either buy a pre-mixed coolant solution or add distilled water to the fluid with a 1:1 ratio. Fill up the coolant solution till the level marked in its tank and seal the cap. You can easily purchase a coolant even at your local tire shop.

Follow routine check and maintenance: Having your car checked is crucial for avoiding costly repair works. Frequent maintenance will eradicate unforeseen expenses which can be very expensive. To avoid bigger issues in the future, you have to follow up on changing the oil, which is essentially crucial in summers. Changing the oil also removes the problem of engine overheating, which is a typical issue during summer.

Summer’s heat also creates a lot of pressure on your car batteries. Go to your local auto body shop and let them do a complete inspection of the battery to ensure that it is in good shape. In case your car battery is in a bad state, get it repaired or replace it to avoid breakdowns in the middle of nowhere.

Parking essentials: Parking your car in a shaded area can be very helpful in maintaining the interior and exterior of your car. Exposing your car to constant sunlight will cause the interior components to brittle and break. If you do not have access to a garage, then you can find a tree or any shaded area to park your car.

You can especially benefit from parking your car in a garage or a safe spot even if you have to walk a few extra steps.

Utilizing a sun/rain blocker: It is always recommended that you purchase a good reflective sunshade to protect your car from foreign elements. You can cover your car with the sunshade whenever you don’t have access to a garage or a shade. This cover will also protect the car from hazardous elements that will potentially rust the metals part or overheat the engine.

Our cars are subjected to sun, rain, smog, dust, wind, or more on a regular basis. All these elements are bad news and reduce the life of your car. Having a top running car requires frequent maintenance and these maintenances also saved a huge amount of money for you, which otherwise would be spent on repair works.

Remember to wash your car as often as possible, depending on your location and climatic conditions. If you reside in a city, then you must have your car undergo deep washing at least two to three times a month.

You better stop piling trash inside your car as some people often do that. Inculcate the habit of regularly cleaning out the inside of your car.

Cleaning the interior is as important as cleaning the exterior as you never know when you must have dropped some food on the floor of the car. Food will attract ants and termites, which can prove to be a heavy price if you aren’t cautious.

Crown City Tire Auto Care is a renowned auto repair in Pasadena that offers reliable and quick auto repair solutions. Comprising of a team of skilled, dedicated, and reliable professionals, Crown City Tire Auto Care has the solution for all your car troubles.

The service center provides services for brakes, alignment, oil replacement, air conditioning, engine repair and diagnosis, maintenance, suspension, and more. You can call for an appointment at (626) 461-9165 or send an email to info@crowncitytire.com. You can even visit their center located at 80 West Bellevue Dr., Pasadena, CA 91105.

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The Dirty Truth About Your Cabin Air Filter: When to Replace It

April 2, 2025

We all love that fresh, clean feeling when we step into our cars, especially after a long day navigating the bustling streets of Pasadena. But have you ever stopped to think about the air you're actually breathing inside your vehicle? Often overlooked, the cabin air filter plays a crucial role in the quality of your in-car environment. At Crown City Tire Auto Care in Pasadena, we believe in empowering our customers with the knowledge to keep their vehicles running smoothly and their occupants healthy. So, let's dive into the often-neglected world of the cabin air filter and uncover the dirty truth about when it's time for a replacement. For many drivers in Pasadena and beyond, the engine air filter gets all the attention. It makes sense – it's directly linked to engine performance and fuel efficiency. However, the cabin air filter, while not impacting how your car runs, significantly affects the air you and your passengers breathe. Think of it as the air purifier for your vehicle's interior. It's designed to trap dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and even airborne pollutants that can enter your car's ventilation system from the outside. Why Should Pasadena Drivers Care About Their Cabin Air Filter? Living in a vibrant city like Pasadena, CA, exposes our vehicles to a variety of environmental factors. From the seasonal blooms releasing pollen into the air to the everyday dust and smog of urban driving, our car interiors can become surprisingly contaminated. A clogged or dirty cabin air filter can lead to a host of issues, some you might not even realize are connected: Reduced Airflow: A blocked filter restricts the amount of air that can pass through your car's heating and cooling system. This can lead to weak airflow from your vents, making it harder to heat or cool your cabin effectively, especially during those hot Pasadena summers or cooler winter evenings. We've seen many customers at Crown City Tire Auto Care surprised at the improvement in their AC performance after a simple cabin air filter replacement. Unpleasant Odors: Over time, trapped particles and moisture in the filter can become breeding grounds for bacteria and mold, leading to musty or unpleasant odors circulating in your car. If you've noticed a persistent stale smell, even after cleaning your interior, your cabin air filter could be the culprit. Allergic Reactions and Respiratory Issues: For allergy sufferers or individuals with respiratory sensitivities living in Pasadena, a clean cabin air filter is paramount. A dirty filter recirculates allergens and irritants, potentially exacerbating symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes. Replacing your filter regularly can significantly improve the air quality and comfort for everyone in the vehicle. Strain on Your HVAC System: When the cabin air filter is clogged, your car's blower motor has to work harder to push air through. This increased strain can potentially shorten the lifespan of components in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, leading to more costly repairs down the line. At Crown City Tire Auto Care in Pasadena, we always recommend preventative maintenance to avoid such issues. So, When Exactly Should Pasadena Drivers Replace Their Cabin Air Filter? While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, several factors can help you determine when it's time for a new cabin air filter in your vehicle: Manufacturer Recommendations: Your vehicle's owner's manual will typically provide a recommended replacement interval for the cabin air filter. This is a good starting point, often suggesting replacement every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or once a year. We at Crown City Tire Auto Care generally advise following these guidelines as a minimum. Visual Inspection: One of the easiest ways to check your cabin air filter is to visually inspect it. The location of the filter varies depending on your vehicle's make and model, but it's often located behind the glove compartment or under the dashboard. Consult your owner's manual for the exact location. Once you've accessed it, take a look. A clean filter will be relatively white or light gray. If it's visibly dirty, clogged with debris, or dark in color, it's definitely time for a replacement. We often show our customers in Pasadena their old filter versus a new one – the difference can be quite striking! Reduced Airflow: As mentioned earlier, a noticeable decrease in the airflow from your vents is a strong indicator of a clogged cabin air filter. If you find yourself turning the fan up higher than usual to achieve the same level of cooling or heating, have your filter checked. Unpleasant Odors: If you consistently notice musty or other unpleasant smells when your ventilation system is running, your cabin air filter is likely trapping odor-causing particles and needs to be replaced. Allergy Season and Driving Conditions in Pasadena: If you frequently drive in dusty conditions, heavy traffic with exhaust fumes, or during peak allergy seasons in Pasadena, your cabin air filter will likely need more frequent replacement. These conditions expose your filter to a higher volume of contaminants. Time Since Last Replacement: Even if you haven't driven many miles, the filter material can degrade over time and lose its effectiveness. If it's been over a year since your last cabin air filter replacement, it's a good idea to have it checked, especially considering the air quality in and around Pasadena. What Happens During a Cabin Air Filter Replacement at Crown City Tire Auto Care? When you bring your vehicle to Crown City Tire Auto Care in Pasadena for a cabin air filter replacement, our experienced technicians will: Locate the Cabin Air Filter: We'll identify the precise location of your vehicle's cabin air filter based on its make and model. Remove the Old Filter: We'll carefully remove the old, dirty filter. You'll likely be surprised at the amount of debris it has collected! Inspect the Housing: We'll check the filter housing for any signs of damage or excessive buildup. Install a New, High-Quality Filter: We use high-quality cabin air filters that meet or exceed manufacturer specifications, ensuring optimal filtration and airflow. Verify Proper Airflow: After installing the new filter, we'll test your vehicle's ventilation system to ensure proper airflow and functionality. Investing in Your In-Car Air Quality with Crown City Tire Auto Care Replacing your cabin air filter is a relatively inexpensive yet highly impactful maintenance task. It's a simple way to improve the air quality inside your vehicle, enhance the performance of your HVAC system, and contribute to a more comfortable and healthier driving experience, especially here in Pasadena. At Crown City Tire Auto Care in Pasadena, we're committed to providing comprehensive auto care services, and that includes ensuring the air you breathe in your car is clean and fresh. Don't wait until you notice strong odors or drastically reduced airflow. Make it a habit to have your cabin air filter checked regularly as part of your routine maintenance. We understand that life in Pasadena can be busy, and it's easy to overlook these smaller maintenance items. That's why we're here to help. Our friendly team at Crown City Tire Auto Care is always ready to answer your questions and provide expert advice on all your automotive needs. We believe that informed drivers make better decisions about their vehicle care, and we're here to be your trusted partner on the road. So, the next time you're thinking about your car's maintenance, remember the "dirty truth" about your cabin air filter. It's a small investment that can make a big difference in your driving comfort and well-being. Let the professionals at Crown City Tire Auto Care in Pasadena help you breathe easier on every journey.