The summer heat is going to take its toll on your vehicle, and you might experience some major problems during the warmest months of the year if you aren’t careful. While most cars are designed to withstand quite a bit of heat, you will need to protect and maintain your vehicle if you want it to remain as efficient as possible once the weather warms up.
Park in the Shade
One of the best ways to protect your car during the summer is to park in the shade whenever possible. While windshield shades and tinted windows will partially protect the interior of your vehicle, the UV rays are still going to damage the tires, trim, windshield wipers, and paint whenever you park in direct sunlight. If you need to park your vehicle outside for an extended period of time, then you might want to invest in tire covers and use high-quality wax.
Regularly Check Your Tires
Your vehicle’s tires are going to get very hot when the weather warms up, and that heat could eventually damage the rubber. At least once every week or two, you should carefully inspect your tires for any signs of damage. That includes cracking on the surface of the tires, mushy sidewalls, and worn tread. You must also check the air pressure in your tires whenever the outdoor temperatures change.
Top Off All Fluids
When your engine is running hot, many of the fluids are going to burn off or evaporate at a much quicker rate. While every vehicle is slightly different, most experts agree that the fluids should be checked once a month. The coolant and oil are especially important when the weather is warm outside, and those two fluids have a major impact on the efficiency of a vehicle. Failing to top those fluids off could result in catastrophic damage to the engine.
Test the Battery
Heat is your battery’s worst enemy, and that is why you should have your vehicle’s electrical system tested at the start of every summer. Hot weather will cause the battery fluid to evaporate, and that is going to result in a wide variety of problems. If your battery is more than two or three years old, then you might want to think about replacing it entirely before the first heatwave of the year.
You should be able to carry out at least a few of these maintenance tasks on your own, but major mechanical projects should always be left to the professionals. A reputable mechanic will most likely guarantee all of their work, and that is going to give you peace of mind during the scorching summer months.