Maintaining Your Car In Summer Heat

  

 

Summer is here, which means vacations, road trips, and sunny drives, but during this time, rising temperatures can lead to extra car care. Proper maintenance is key to ensure safe drives and prevent breakdowns. Whether you are planning a long road trip or just making your daily commute, here are some essential tips from Jeff Belzer’s to maintain your car in the summer heat.

 

Hot Weather Risks

The effects of heat and heat exhaustion are serious and can make drivers drowsy and dizzy. This is a dangerous condition to drive in, so make sure to drink water and stay cool. If your AC is not working, consider fixing it. Schedule a service appointment with us today to get this repaired. Another risk is the glare caused by the bright summer sun, so using sunglasses or a visor can help protect your eyes and increase visibility.

While summer brings heat, it also brings rain. Paying attention to the forecast is essential; if there are thunderstorms, flash floods, or tornado warnings, you want to be prepared. Driving conditions change with the weather, so ensure that your wipers are in good condition and drive with caution.

 

Avoid Engine Overheating

Maintaining your vehicle’s coolant system is important to prevent the engine from overheating. Here are some signs to look out for if your engine is overheated:

• Steam/smoke coming from the hood

• Dashboard warning light on or engine temperature gauge on red or “H” depending on the car

• Burnt, plastic-like, or sweet, smell

• Noises like knocking or thumping

• Coolant leaking from under the car

• Engine performance becoming reduced, causing the vehicle to slow down or have acceleration issues

 

What to Do

Pull over to the side of the road and turn off the engine. Allow your engine to cool for at least 15 minutes. During this time, continue to check the temperature gauge to see if it goes down. After letting the car cool off, add some coolant if your levels are low and drive to the nearest mechanic shop or have your car towed if necessary.

 

Prevention

Ensure you have coolant and water in your vehicle – they will come in handy in the event that your engine does overheat. Coolant is important because it keeps your engine from overheating, so top off your coolant levels when summer arrives. It may be a good idea to get a cool system diagnosis as well. Overall, knowing what signs to look for and keeping an eye on your coolant levels will aid in having safe transportation during warm weather.

 

 

Emergency Kit

You typically hear about keeping an emergency kit in your car in winter filled with hats, gloves, and jumper cables. However, having an emergency kit is essential all year round and we recommend switching out the materials with the season. For the warm summer months, it is a good idea to have water, a first aid kit, jumper cables, duct tape, flashlight and batteries, emergency escape tool, and nonperishable food in your kit. These materials will help ensure your safety if your car breaks down.

 

Benefits of Summer Tires

Summer tires excel in both wet and dry conditions, offering enhanced performance in hot and rainy weather. Engineered for optimal road grip, braking efficiency, and acceleration, they feature straighter and more shallow grooves compared to all-season tires. This design reduces the risk of hydroplaning, making them a reliable choice for wet conditions. The downsides of summer tires are that they cannot be used in the wintertime, and they do not last as long as other tire types. If you want to compare all-season tires to winter tires, read our blog post.

 

 

Sun Protection

Cleaning and waxing your car are great ways to kick off summer. Warm weather is the best time to wax your car because it takes time to dry out the wax and fully protect your car. Summertime has more daylight, and the wax will help with protecting against the harsh sun rays that can fade the paintwork on your vehicle. Parking in the shade is a great way to stay out of those UV rays, and a sunshade can help protect the interior of your car. They help to prevent the seat and dashboard from fading, along with reducing the effects of sun rays on the electronics.

 

By following these tips, you can better protect your car from the summer heat and ensure it performs its best during these months. From checking your fluid levels to having an emergency kit, a little can go a long way. Visit Jeff Belzer’s Service Department for professional maintenance. We hope this helps you enjoy a summer that is stress-free and full of adventures.