Help Your Car Beat the Summer Heat

Even though the Seattle area usually avoids the extreme temperatures that plague the rest of the country, it can still get plenty hot here in the late summer. These high temperatures can take a toll on your car. This is not the time to find yourself with your hood up on the side of a road! The following tips can help you avoid that problem.

Check your battery. Battery problems don’t always occur in the winter. In fact, summer heat can have a more negative impact on your battery than freezing winter temperatures. Heat and vibration are a battery’s worst enemies, leading to internal breakdown and eventual failure.

Make sure your battery is securely mounted to minimize vibration. Battery fluid will evaporate faster in the heat, which leads to corrosion on terminals and connections. Clean the built-up corrosion on battery terminals and cable clamps, and ensure the clamps are tightened sufficiently.

Check your engine's cooling system. Cooling systems protect engines from overheating and should be flushed periodically (as recommended by manufacturer). Also, make sure the coolant is filled to the proper level. If it's low, top off the reservoir with a 50/50 mix of water and the coolant type specified by the vehicle manufacturer. CAUTION! – Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot – boiling fluid under pressure could cause serious burns. Cooling system components are largely made out of rubber, and susceptible to heat-related deterioration, so periodically inspect hoses and drive belts for cracking, soft spots or other signs of poor condition.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Driving on under-inflated tires can cause tires to overheat and increase the likelihood of a blowout, especially when road temperatures are extremely high. Conversely, don't overinflate the tires either. That causes accelerated wear and will shorten the life of the tires. Staying close to manufacturer's guidelines is the best practice.

Check your car’s tire pressure every two or three weeks, as tires lose about one pound of pressure per month through normal seepage. For accuracy, check tire pressures when the tires are cold, since warm tires will show a falsely high pressure reading.

Keep fluids at appropriate levels. Most engine fluids lubricate and serve as coolants by helping carry heat away from critical components. When fluid levels are low, the cooling effect is reduced, which increases the possibility of overheating. Periodically check all vehicle fluids, including motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid, to ensure they are at appropriate levels.

Maintain a comfortable driving environment. During hot summer days, an air-conditioning system can be more than just a pleasant convenience. It can reduce fatigue, which plays an important part in driver alertness and vehicle safety. If a car’s air conditioning is not maintaining the interior temperature as well as it once did, it may mean the refrigerant level is low or there is another problem. Have the system checked by a certified technician.

Be prepared for summer breakdowns. Even with diligent preventive maintenance, summer breakdowns can still occur, so it’s imperative that drivers have a well-stocked emergency kit in their cars. The kit should include water, non-perishable food items, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, road flares or an emergency beacon, basic hand tools and a first aid kit.

Summer driving can be fun, but making sure your vehicle can take it will keep it from becoming a nightmare.

Sources: American Automobile Association, Progressive Insurance Co.