A while back I wrote a blog article on
how to winterize your car ecomodder style. I'm thinking of doing the same thing again, but on the topic of summerizing (not summarising) your car, or getting it out of winter mode/setup and back to a summer setup again. So, as I did with that run around I'll also do with this one and ask you guys for some input.
I have a few things to get the list started:
Install summer tires (preferably LRR)
Winter tires get very soft in summer heat and wear very quickly. Those mushy tires give poor handling as well as require more energy to push down the road. As things warm up, changing back to summer or all season tires is a good choice. If its time to get new tires for the car you should definitely consider a set of low rolling resisance (LRR) tires. They've come along way in recent years and generally don't cost anymore or perform any worse than a normal tire.
Check tire pressure
For many ecomodders this is a normal task. However, with summer warming things up it is sure to affec tire pressure. You might find that your tire pressure is too high for your liking. Or perhaps you haven't checked it all winter (like me!) and see that your tires need some additional air.
Install seat covers
A lot of ecomodders love beaded seat covers because they keep you cooler and stop you from sweating. This means you can comfortably drive in warmer weather with less cooling needs (be that A/C, fan usage, or windows rolled down). Another alternative is a fan powered seat cover. This will actually blow air over the area where your body touches the seat.
Clean up the car
I don't know too many people who vacuum up the car and clean things out during winter. Spring is a great time to go through and clean things up. If you drive a truck its also a great time to remove those sand bags you added for winter traction. Those certainly won't help you get any better mileage.
Adjust your grill block
If you live in a cold climate like me you can nearly get away with a full grill block through most of winter. However, that will not work will in summer at all. Take some time to adjust your grill block and open it up a bit so that adequate cooling can be had. An easy way to see if your engine is running too warm is to install an indicator light that shows when your radiator fan is turning on. If it turns on all the time, you should open that grill block a little bit. Conversely, if you never see it turn on, you can feel safe blocking more of the grill off.
Adjust block heater timer
While a block heater isn't as useful in summer, it can still help out quite a bit especially if you have a short commute. However, it won't need to run as long as it does in winter. So, take some time and adjust the amount of time it is on before you leave.
Thats my quick list. What else do you guys do?