– By #Pioneer Auto Show
We are well into the dog days of summer and the heat this year seems higher than most years. The heat can not only have an effect on you and your family, but it can also take its toll on your car and its ability to function. There are a few things you can do to help your car survive the high heat of this summer and ensure that it makes it through the summer to the fall. Here are a few tips of things you should do, especially right before a family road trip.
Cooling System
The high heat of summer can cause your car to overheat faster than it normally would. One way to combat that is by ensuring that the cooling system is in proper working order. You should completely flush and refill the cooling system every 24 months. However, periodically plan to check the level, conditional, and concentration of the coolant in order to make sure it can properly protect your car. It’s best to have those things checked by a professional, including the condition of the drive belts, clamps, and hoses.
Engine Performance
The summer can be an especially dusty time when driving, especially if you are going camping and especially if your area is in a drought. You may need to replace filters such as the air, fuel, and PCV filters more often when you’re driving in dusty conditions. These can escalate to an even bigger problem if not addressed right away.
Tires
Your tires are some of the most crucial pieces on your car, so ensuring that they’re in proper working condition is critical. It’s important to have them rotated every 5,000 miles and check the tire pressure every month while the tires are cold. Don’t forget about checking your spare as well. Summer is also known as construction time, and there are a lot of hazards that come along with driving through a construction zone, including nails. When you check your tire pressure, inspect your tires well enough to see if there are any nails that have found their way into your tire.
Windshield Wipers
Summer means afternoon thunderstorms and the occasional morning storm as well. Storms can come and go and can be unpredictable in some areas, so it’s important to have properly working windshield wipers to ensure that you can see if you get stuck driving in rain. It can become very dangerous to try and drive in rain when you can’t see properly out of your windshield because your wipers don’t do a good job.
Make sure your car is ready to take on your summer road trip. The last thing you want to have happen is getting stuck on the side of the road when it is 100 degrees outside. We’d hate for your trip out to see us to get delayed!
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