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Summer is finally here in Lynbrook, NY — a time for family road trips, beach days, and enjoying all that Long Island has to offer. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or daily commuting, making sure your Ford vehicle is ready for the warm weather is key to a safe and comfortable driving experience. At Crown Ford Lynbrook, we want to help you prepare your vehicle so you can enjoy summer without unexpected breakdowns or discomfort. Here’s a detailed guide to essential summer maintenance and service tips, designed to keep your Ford running smoothly all season long. 1. Keep Your Engine Cool with a Thorough Cooling System Check Summer heat can put extra strain on your vehicle’s engine, increasing the risk of overheating — one of the most common causes of breakdowns in warm weather. Your cooling system works hard to keep the engine temperature regulated by circulating coolant through the radiator and engine block. When you bring your vehicle to Crown Ford Lynbrook for a summer checkup, our certified technicians will inspect your coolant levels, examine hoses for signs of wear or leaks, and test the radiator for proper function. If your coolant is old or contaminated, a flush and refill might be necessary to maintain peak performance. more 2. Inspect, Inflate, and Rotate Your Tires for Better Safety and Efficiency Tires are your vehicle’s only contact with the road, so maintaining them is critical for safety, fuel efficiency, and handling — especially in summer when heat can cause tire pressure to rise. Heat causes air inside tires to expand, so regularly checking your tire pressure (at least once a month) is important to avoid overinflation or underinflation, both of which can cause premature wear or blowouts. Rotating your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles ensures even tread wear and extends tire life. During your service visit, we’ll also check the tread depth to confirm your tires meet safety standards. 3. Keep Your Cool: Test and Recharge Your Air Conditioning System A functioning air conditioning system isn’t just a comfort feature — it’s essential for driver alertness and passenger comfort during hot summer months. If you notice your A/C blowing warm air or hear unusual noises, it might be time for a recharge or inspection. Our Ford-certified technicians will diagnose your system, check for leaks, and recharge refrigerant levels to restore optimal cooling. Addressing minor issues early can prevent costly repairs and keep your cabin cool even during the hottest days in Lynbrook. 4. Fluid Levels Matter: Top Off Your Vehicle’s Essential Fluids Your vehicle relies on a variety of fluids to operate smoothly and safely. During summer maintenance, we’ll check and refill: Engine oil: Keeps your engine lubricated and running efficiently. High temperatures can accelerate oil breakdown, so timely changes are important. Brake fluid: Ensures your brakes respond properly, especially critical during stop-and-go summer traffic. Transmission fluid: Keeps gears shifting smoothly, particularly important on long highway drives or in heavy traffic. Windshield washer fluid: Vital for maintaining clear visibility against bugs, dust, and road grime common in summer. 5. Clear Vision: Replace Your Windshield Wipers if Needed Summer storms and pollen can obscure your view of the road. Worn wiper blades reduce your visibility during rain, making it dangerous to drive. Inspect your wipers regularly and replace them at the first sign of streaking, cracking, or reduced performance. 6. Battery Health Check: Don’t Let the Heat Drain Your Power High temperatures can cause battery fluid to evaporate, increasing the risk of battery failure. Our team will test your battery’s charge and inspect terminals for corrosion, ensuring your Ford starts reliably every time. Why Choose Crown Ford Lynbrook for Your Summer Vehicle Maintenance? At Crown Ford Lynbrook, our factory-trained technicians specialize in Ford vehicles. We use genuine OEM parts and the latest diagnostic equipment to deliver reliable, high-quality service. Plus, our dealership offers convenient service scheduling, transparent pricing, and seasonal specials to help you maintain your vehicle without breaking the bank. We understand how important your vehicle is to your summer plans and daily life. Trust us to keep your Ford running strong and comfortable throughout the season.

Combustion generates huge amounts of heat, and sustained high temperatures can damage your engine. Your Ford has a very efficient cooling system to solve this problem, and the capstone of the system is the radiator. It's responsible for removing heat and maintaining a safe engine temperature. If your radiator is damaged, your Ford dealer can fix it for you. These are some signs that you need a radiator repair. Damaged Radiator Tubes The front of the radiator is comprised of rows of thin aluminum tubes. Engine heat is captured by coolant that's pumped through the engine. The coolant then passes into the radiator and enters the tubes, where the heat is removed by air flowing in through the grille. The numerous tubes provide a large area to speed up the heat exchanger process. more These tubes are very light and easily damaged. Hard substances like sand and grit can blow in through the grill and dent them. A dented tube will block the inflow of coolant, and as more tubes are damaged, the radiator's cooling ability will be severely restricted. Lack of cooling due to the damaged tubes can cause your engine to overheat. We can fix this problem by removing the damaged radiator and installing a new one. Coolant Leaks Liquid coolant is vital for the cooling system as it's the only means to transport heat to the radiator for removal. This coolant moves through your engine at high speed, which means any damage to part of the cooling system can result in a coolant leak. Damage to the head gasket, the seal between the upper and lower engine sections, can cause coolant to leak into your exhaust. Coolant is available in bright colors like pink, orange, yellow, and blue, which helps to easily identify a coolant leak. If you notice a leak, we advise contacting us ASAP. Driving with a low coolant level can cause your engine to rapidly overheat. Our technicians will trace and seal the leak, then we'll refill your coolant. Engine Temperature Gauge When you start your engine, the temperature g​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​auge will rise, and the indicator should hover near the center of the gauge. This happens because the cooling system activates when your engine temperature rises over 180 F. As you're driving, you may notice the gauge rises sharply when you accelerate or if you're towing a heavy load, but it will drop again as the cooling system speeds up to reduce the temperature again. If you see that your temperature is rising steadily for no apparent reason, your radiator could have failed. We'll examine your cooling system to identify the problem and then fix it. We can easily and quickly fix any radiator problem. Call us today at Crown Ford Inc.