It’s that time of year again when the hot summer weather beats down upon us. This extreme heat during the dog days of summer can take a toll on us. We have to stay hydrated and take all precautions to be safe. The same thing can be said for our cars. The summer heat can wreak havoc on on your entire car. Everything from the paint finish to the drive train — AND everything between. By taking a few preventative measures, and brushing up on your auto care routine, you can protect your car from the hot weather.
To keep those harmful sun rays from destroying your paint job make sure that you keep a good coat of wax on your car. Also while you are detailing your exterior be sure to put some protectant on your plastic pieces. This not only refurbishes their appearance, but also protects them from the sun.
While you are working on the outside of your car check your tires. Make sure that the air pressure is at the recommenced air pressure. This is found on the tire its self [Example: EG(35PSI)]. You can also check your owners manual to see what the manufacturer recommends. Also check the tread depth. The hot roads in the summer can cause failure to tires that are not maintained properly.
The Interior can be protected by using a protectant on it just like you did for the plastic on the outside. When parked, use a sun shade in the windshield to keep the suns rays out. Having your windows tinted is another great way to protect your interior. As an added bonus, both will help keep the temperature down in your car so it is cooler upon reentry.
If you have ever had to drive a car in the summer with no air conditioning you will know how important this next step is. You should have your A/C serviced by professionals before summer begins. If your a/c is still blowing cold, but not as cold as it should, you can always go to your local parts store and purchase a recharge kit. Anyone with the ability to follow the instructions can complete this task easily.
Check your water levels in your car. Your cooling system is comprised of a mixture of water and coolant. Check your coolant mixture with an anti-freeze tester. It should be somewhere around 50%.
While you are under the hood checking the coolant, look at all of your fluids: brake, power steering, transmission(if you have an automatic), and oil. Also check your belts to see if there is any unusual wear or dry cracks in it. If you see anything unusual, immediately contact your service technician.
Now you are ready to face the dog days of summer knowing that the extreme heat isn’t going to to leave you stranded too!
