If you’re like most Americans, you probably have a lot of plans made already for this summer and you’ll need your car to get to the places or people you want to see. But if your vehicle isn’t ready for summer traveling and hot, hot temperatures, you could end up with a change of plans – and we don’t mean for good reason. You’re vehicle needs a check-up from time to time and summer driving can really do a number on your car, so stop in and see your local auto repair shop in Tempe for some preventative vehicle maintenance and other helpful services so your vacation plans this summer don’t get ruined.
Our repair technicians have lots of knowledge about what you can do to make sure your vehicle is healthy for summer weather. First, your engine, one of the most important parts of your vehicle, needs to stay cool especially if you’re going to be doing a lot of driving. Your cooling system is a great place to start – that and an oil change of course! Your cooling system protects your engine from overheating. In addition, additives in the coolant protect the radiator and internal engine components against wear and corrosion. Without proper cooling system maintenance, the odds of long term engine damage, and a summer time boil over, definitely increase. This is best left to your repair shop because it can be dangerous. Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot – boiling coolant under pressure could cause serious burns.
Your tires need to be ready for summer driving on hot pavement, too. Are your tires underinflated like many other cars? If so, you could see some issues with both handling and braking. It also can cause tires to overheat and increase the likelihood of a blowout. This problem becomes even more of a concern when road temperatures are extremely high. More than half the vehicles on the road were found to have at least one under-inflated tire, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association, and 85 percent of motorists do not know how to properly inflate their tires! Another reason to come see us and we can help get your tire pressure back to where it should be and keep you safer this summer.
Fluids are also important to maintain as you drive a bit more this summer. Engine fluids lubricate and serve as coolants, but there is also motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid to keep in mind. Brake fluid is important to have checked – Degradation of that fluid can lead to reduced braking performance or, in extreme cases, complete brake failure. That’s not something you’ll want to experience on a road trip, or any other time!
Will your car keep your passengers cool? You know what they say – cool passengers are happy passengers. Well, we don’t know exactly who says that, but we think we’re on to something. Riding at length in a hot, packed car isn’t ideal, even with the windows down. Make sure you’re A/C system is ready to handle whatever temperatures come your way. While they’re checking the air conditioning system, be sure they include the filter which can help keep debris from entering the cabin. There is also a safety component to maintaining a cool cabin. Maintaining a comfortable driving environment reduces fatigue, which can play an important part in driver alertness and vehicle safety.
However, we all know that we can service our vehicle and perform preventative maintenance, but summer breakdowns can still occur. Things happen to us all the time. Preparation is still key, so be sure to put together a well-stocked emergency kit in your car. The kit should include things like 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. For summer weather, we also recommend including a reflective emergency blanket, sunscreen, a hat, a phone charger, a clear plastic bin, tire pressure gauge, duct tape, rags, gloves, and even a tow strap. Give us a call so your vehicle can get summer-driving ready. We hope your summer driving is safe and easy!
