Auto Body Repair

Even when you keep your vehicle well maintained, car accidents happen. The sun’s UV rays, hailstorms, and construction zones can take a toll on your car’s paint job. When you need some summer repairs, promptly take your vehicle to Royal Collision auto body repair. Our highly skilled technicians are trained to repair all makes and models, but our passion and expertise are in working with exotic and luxury vehicles.

We also have excellent relationships with all the major insurance companies and can assist in the insurance claim process from start to finish. Call us before you call your insurance company. Whether you’ve had a minor fender-bender or a major accident, you can rest assured your vehicle will be handled by the best the industry has to offer.

Have your Car Ready for your Summer Road Trip

Some drivers don’t keep their vehicles well during the winter and early spring because it’s cold. But in summer we have hot temperatures, and dusty conditions can be hard on cars, and prominently during those awaited vacation road trips. And, you certainly don’t want to get stranded on the steamy roadside with your overheated kids in tow. The key to getting your vehicle ready for summertime driving is preventing mechanical breakdowns in advance. Before going out on your exciting road trip, use these summer driving car maintenance tips from the pros.

Engines on Summer Road

Here are some of the ways that summer’s hot, dry weather and overcrowded road conditions can ruin your vehicle’s mechanical parts:

  • Accelerates tire, hose and drive belt aging
  • Strains your cooling system and A/C to the limit
  • Stop-and-go driving is hard on the engine, transmission, and brakes
  • Dust and dirt can clog your engine’s filters and decrease performance

Check the Tires

If you put winter tires on your car, make sure to swap them out for an all-season tire with ample tread to get you safely through those summer rainstorms. Every 10-degree F increase in air temperature increases tire pressure by one PSI. Improperly inflated tires can overheat on long trips and cause blowouts. Check your tire pressure at least weekly and rotate your tires every 5,000 miles.

Test the A/C

Run it for a little while to make sure it blows out cold air. Are there any strange noises or odors? If you notice anything unusual, the system may need to be cleaned or recharged, or it could have a leak. To give you peace-of-mind, have it inspected.

Check under the Hood

Some drivers don’t check under the hood when it’s chilly outside. Now that it’s warmer, monitor when the engine is cold and look over the:

  • Battery – Is there corrosion around the posts? If so, clean it off with an old toothbrush and baking soda. Recheck it a few weeks later. If the corrosion is back, it could be signaling a more serious issue. If so, you may want to replace the battery.
    Oil. Check your oil level and top it off with the specified summer grade found in your owner’s manual. If it hasn’t been replaced for 3500 miles (conventional oil) or 5000 miles (synthetic), get an oil change. Remember that oil filters can also clog up faster during dusty summertime conditions.
  • Coolant – Check your coolant’s level and appearance in the overflow reservoir. It should be clear and not cloudy, and if you need to top it off, use a 50/50 mixture that’s specified for your vehicle’s make and model. If your coolant hasn’t been changed for over 5 years or 100,000 miles, a flush-and-fill is probably a good idea.
  • Brakes – These should be inspected by a mechanic at recommended intervals found in your owner’s manual, or sooner if you notice unusual grabbing, vibrating, noises or longer stopping distances.
    Belts, clamps, and hoses. Visually inspection your engine’s drive belts, clamps, and hoses. If anything looks worn or frayed, take it to a mechanic and have them checked out.

Lights

Inspect all lights and replace burned out bulbs. Also, regularly clean dirt and splattered bugs from the lenses using a soft rag and glass cleaner.

Windshield Wipers

If your old blades are leaving streaks behind when it rains, it’s time for a new pair. Do so before it gets hot, and also remember to top off your wiper fluid.

Royal Collision & Auto Body Repair
Phone: 713-266-9800
FAX: 281-946-5200
Contact Us

9206 Richmond Avenue,
Houston, Texas 77063

Hours Of Operation:
Mon – Fri: 8:00am-6:00pm
Sat-Sun: Closed