Summer can be tough on your car, with high temperatures, long road trips, and increased use taking their toll on your vehicle. Proper car care during the summer months can help ensure that your car stays in good condition and runs smoothly. Whether you are planning a road trip or just using your car for daily commuting, there are a few key car care tips to keep in mind. By following these tips, you can help protect your car from the summer heat, reduce the risk of breakdowns, and keep it looking and running great all summer long.
The summer weather conditions are perfect for traveling, drive-ins, and, sadly, vehicle trouble. The most vital systems in your vehicle can suffer damage from intense heat. So, if you're planning to travel or go to the beach this summer, we are here to help you enjoy the season safely.
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This summer, you can keep your family secure while driving and reduce your gas costs by taking a few easy precautions. Long drives and intense heat can be hard on vehicles. Moreover, your fuel efficiency can be greatly reduced by cracked hoses, leaky radiators, underinflated tires, and dirty filters, or worse, it can cause a complete breakdown.
Top 10 Car care tips for summer
To safeguard your car, yourself, and loved ones this summer, ensure you are a little more prepared than usual. Continue reading as we list 10 essential summer car maintenance recommendations.
1. Double check your cooling system
Air conditioning goes well with the summer heat. When the weather warms up, your car's air conditioning needs to be functional. Try your air conditioner before summer because you might not have used it in the winter or spring.
A refrigerant charge might be a quick repair if your air conditioner blows hot air when it is on. Your vehicle's air conditioning system should be recharged with refrigerant. A technician should be able to locate and fix the problem if it doesn't get the job done.
If you notice a decline in cooling ability, bring your car to an auto repair shop for a checkup. Additionally, check and change the cabin filter as necessary.
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2. Inspect those tires and tire pressure
The tire on a car is one of the most frequently overlooked components. Only one in ten drivers correctly checks their tire pressure, compared to nearly seven out of ten who routinely wash their cars, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). However, the reality is that a broken down, under-inflated, overinflated, or misplaced tire can be very hazardous, especially during the hot summer months.
The bulging of the exterior of an under-inflated tire applies unwanted pressure to the tire sidewalls. That tire will ultimately blow, given enough heat and pressure. On the other hand, a tire that is overinflated makes less contact with the ground and, in slick conditions, can result in hydroplaning.
Use the penny test to determine how much tread is left on your tires. You're set to go if Lincoln's head vanishes after you put a penny in the tread. Your tires' alignment and balance can also be checked at your neighbourhood service center or specialized tire retailer.
Also, remember to bring your extras! If your extra tire is in worse shape than the others, it serves no purpose to have one. Make sure the spare tire has enough tread depth and is correctly inflated.
A flat tire or tire explosion can be avoided with optimal tire pressure. Maintaining inflated tires can also aid in maximizing your gas mileage on those long car trips.
While at it, you should also examine the air pressure in your spare tire to ensure that it will be a reliable backup in an emergency.
3. Examine the belts and hoses.
For safe summer driving, the engine must be kept cool. The system is further cooled by the radiator's pipes, which help coolant move to and from the engine block. However, the fan's belt-driven operation. The radiator will overheat rapidly if the hoses or belts crack or break, leaving you stuck.
Hoses should be examined for leaks, fractures, and loose connections. Hoses must be rigid; they should never be pliable or flexible. Additionally, electrochemical degradation (ECD), a gradual degradation process, slowly eats away at rubber hose substance from the inside. The hose's most fragile areas are closest to clamps at the radiator or motor connections.
Belts can be physically inspected for damage and cracks. If the belt appears overly smooth or slick, take notice. Check the cloth to make sure it has yet to begin to separate into layers before removing the belt. After 36,000 miles, according to experts, the chance of belt failure dramatically increases.
4. Replace your engine's oil and filter
Oil is the lifeforce of your vehicle. It keeps the grueling engine components operating cleanly, smoothly, and coolly. The majority of owner's manuals advise changing your oil and oil filter after 7,500 kilometers. Undoubtedly, the majority of us drive heavily during the summer, when a motor is more likely to overheat. Before embarking on that family road trip, you should at least check your oil.
To check your oil, let your car idle for a while, then pull it over to a level area and shut off the engine. The oil dipstick can be accessed by popping the hood. Here, you should inspect both the oil level and the oil's condition. A quart of oil can be added if necessary, or the oil can be changed entirely. The oil should be visible and a clear brownish yellow on the stick. If the oil in your engine is a dark color or contains a lot of debris and grime, you should change the oil and oil filter right away.
5.Check the brakes
The most essential safety element on your car is its brakes. This summer, avoid endangering yourself or your family by driving with brakes that are damaged or worn out.
It's time to replace your brakes when the lining on your brake pad or brake shoe has worn down to the thickness required by your vehicle's manufacturer or your state's law. Any regular repair shop or a brake specialist can examine your brake linings.
You should inspect your brakes if any of the following apply:
- Your brake pedal becomes extremely mushy and soft.
- Your brake pedal is extremely stiff and unresponsive.
- You either have a high or low brake pedal.
- Dashboard indicators or warning signals.
- The brakes are making loud, recurring scraping and grating noises.
It's an interesting fact that squealing brakes don't always indicate a problem. The presence of moisture on the brake pads, discs, shoes, and drums is one of many causes of brake noise and rattling. Only when the screeching changes to a scraping or grinding sound should you start to worry. This is an indication of metal-to-metal contact, which can harm brake parts forever.
It pays to have your brakes checked out or fixed as soon as you can if you detect a problem. If even minor issues aren't fixed right away, the cost of a brake repair can rise significantly.
6. Change the windshield wipers
When you're driving, it's imperative that you keep yourself visible. In the summer, glare from the sun, pollen, and dust can make it difficult for you to see properly out of your windshield. Verify the effectiveness of your windshield wipers and get rid of anything that might reduce visibility. At the conclusion of each season, you should inspect or repair your windshield wipers.
Additionally, check to see if your light rays aren't obscured by pollen or other debris. Change your headlights right away if they appear weak or dim to ensure that you can see clearly at night, in bad weather, or in any other situation that might impair your vision while driving.
7. Regularly wash or change air filters
The air filters in your vehicle play an essential function, particularly during the summer. In the summer or during pollen-heavy seasons, they are crucial because they stop pollutants from getting through the ducts. Additionally, your air conditioning system may experience problems if you use an old filter.
It can cost between $1,000 and $4,000 to replace your entire air conditioning system, so regularly maintaining the caliber of your air filter is both necessary and cost-effective. According to the manufacturer's recommendation, you should replace your air filter every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
Your car's air filter may become blocked with thicker debris like ice during the winter. Your fuel economy may suffer significantly from a clogged air filter. Up to 10% more gas economy can be achieved by replacing a blocked or dirty air filter.
8. Inspect and clean both the interior and exterior
Maintaining the interior and exterior of your vehicle neatly not only makes you feel better, but it also benefits your finances in the long run. Heat can harm your car's interior and melt plastics, food, or other trash that has been left inside, which could result in an expensive repair.
Additionally, maintaining your exterior's cleanliness can shield the paint from UV radiation as well as any harm done by birds or insects.
Most people who live in hot climates take this for granted, but it still needs to be emphasized every time you park your car for an extended amount of time. A thorough exterior wash will also lessen the possibility of mud, dust, and other debris baking onto your paint. To finish, apply a thin layer of wax to create a barrier between the vehicle and the cover while it's being stored.
9. Keep the engine cool
Every car has a cooling system to keep the interior temperatures within acceptable limits by removing heat from the engine. The cooling system is composed of coolant, pipes, a thermostat, a radiator, and a water pump.
The coolant in your motor will let you know whether it is cold, average, or overheating based on the temperature gauge in your car, which gauges the coolant levels. If the temperature gauge indicates elevated readings, your vehicle may be overheating. If you experience this, stop immediately and allow your engine to settle. It's best to get in touch with your neighborhood mechanic right away to have the issue fixed because it's a severe one.
10.Put your vehicle in a shaded area
On sweltering summer days, try to park your car as far away from the sun as you can. In addition to keeping you cool, parking in a shaded area can keep your vehicle cool and increase its lifespan. The sun's rays may damage your car's exterior and color, which could be expensive to fix. It may be challenging to drive in extremely hot conditions because your car's leather seats and steering wheel will heat up.
If you can't park your car in the shade, it's a good idea to have window shades in your vehicle. These shades will shield you from UV rays, prevent your car's interior from becoming too warm, and guard against any other negative impacts of the sun.
How can I protect my car in the summer?
Your vehicle spends the majority of the day parked outside in the hot summer sun, roasting on hot pavement. The same way you need to be shielded from the sun's ultraviolet rays and heat, so does your automobile. You should obey the following tips stated above to make sure your car stays cool this summer.
What should I check in my car in the summer?
The most vital systems in your vehicle can suffer damage from intense heat. Therefore, if your summer schedule includes travel and seaside adventures, we're here to help you experience the season wisely.
Check the most common summer problems with your vehicle, such as topping off the fluids, inspecting the coolant, examining the battery, examining the belts, properly inflating the tires, testing the windshield wipers, updating the emergency kit, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
How do you store a summer car?
You can store your summer car by storing the battery in a warm, secure location, or at least by maintaining its position. Before parking, adding fuel stabilizer, filling the tank, and driving or operating the vehicle quickly will reduce fuel deterioration and moisture contamination.
Conclusion
The summer season can be exciting, and your car can transport you on new journeys and vacations. Don't stray too far, though, and don't put your vehicle maintenance schedule on autopilot. One way to safeguard your car and lower long-term costs is to keep it in excellent shape by keeping up with routine and seasonal maintenance. Make sure your auto insurance policy is current and readily accessible in case damage to your car does occur this summer.
While keeping your car in the summer heat may seem like anything could go wrong, you can rest easy knowing that you're now more prepared than ever! If you plan, organize, and carry out your storage plans with all of these suggestions in mind, your car will be in good condition when you get it on the road.
