How to protect your car from the summer heat
Is it just us, or is this summer dragging on? We’re feeling it, and surely our cars are feeling it too - here are some quick tips to keep your car ‘cool.’
We come alive in the summertime, with beach days, road trips, and camping with friends and family injecting energy and excitement into our lives.
Your car in the meantime? It’s working harder than ever, transporting you to all your summer adventures. And while summer is more favorable for your vehicle overall when compared to winter, one seasonal culprit is adding undue stress to your four wheels — the sun.
The heat, the light, and even the change in the temperature of the asphalt all play a part in adding unwanted damage to your car, whether it’s aesthetic, like oxidizing the paint and aging your interiors, or functional, like affecting your fluids and cooling systems.
If you want to protect your car from the summer heat, here are some simple tips that can make a big difference.
Check your engine coolant
Engine coolant will help prevent your car from overheating, which tends to be more common on those scorching hot days. Check the overflow reservoir to ensure you’re good to go and top up as needed. You also want to flush the system periodically per your manufacturer’s directions. To learn more about your car’s cooling system repair, check out this blog from the Meineke team.
While you’re at it, check your other fluids, too
While inspecting your coolant, look at other fluid levels, such as oil, brake, and transmission. Your engine can run a greater risk of overheating if any of these fluids are below the recommended level.
Test your battery
Hot temperatures can cause your battery fluid to evaporate more quickly, resulting in damage or potentially even battery failure. Make sure this isn’t the case and clean up any corrosion every couple of weeks during the summer months.
Inspect your tires
Rising temperatures can really do a number on your tires. The heat from the asphalt can wear on the rubber, and hot air can cause your tires to expand. Generally speaking, your tires can lose or gain 1 PSI (pound per square inch) for every 10℉ in temperature change. The solution? Get your tires checked for wear and tear and whether they need to be replaced and invest in a gauge to check on tire pressure, especially before long trips.
Get a good car wash and wax
Regularly washing your car can help rinse away some of the summertime culprits that take a toll on your paint job, such as bugs, pollen, and bird poop. Finishing with a good wax job will add another layer of protection.
Park in the shade whenever possible
Opt for garage parking or another shaded area, like beneath a tree when possible. If you’ll be close to your car and can keep an eye on it, you may even want to leave the windows open a crack to keep air circulating.
Invest in protective devices
For further heat protection, you may want to get other tools that keep your car cool. A dashboard mat or seat covers are cost-effective ways to spare your vehicle from the heat (and avoid that uncomfortable feeling of sitting on sweltering leather after it's been baking in the sun). To keep your interiors protected, you might even want to invest in window tinting, which can save on gas in the long term by reducing your air conditioning use.
Note: Some areas may have restrictions on tinted windows, so check your local regulations first.
When it comes to keeping your car safe, efficient, and looking fresh, preventive maintenance is key. Apply these easy tips to protect your car from summer heat today and you’ll reap the benefits for all many more summers to come.