While you should absolutely service your vehicle regularly throughout the year, there are some additional considerations when the seasons change. In the winter you may top off your antifreeze, change your tires, or change your blades to prepare for colder weather. You should do the same for summer, because heat can have an adverse effect on important functions of your car as well. Specifically, we will discuss some maintenance tips for summer that will ensure your vehicle is in top-performing condition.
Air Conditioning
A vehicle’s cooling system often gets overworked when it’s hot out. At Lakeland’s Tire & Auto, we will take a look at your entire air conditioning system, looking for anything that might need to be repaired or replaced before it becomes a problem. With temperatures rising, it can be uncomfortable and dangerous to drive around in a hot car, so getting this checked is paramount.
Tires
Heat causes an expansion in tires, potentially causing them to become overinflated. Heat can also have an impact on the rubber. This is why you should regularly check tire pressure and conditions so that you get the most out of your tires. Keeping them properly inflated prevents having to get new tires and also keeps you safe on the tires you already have.
Battery
Your car’s battery is its life source, lasting around three to five years in perfect driving conditions. While you should regularly check the connections and voltage, it becomes especially important in hot weather due to the increase of fluid pressure that can cause corrosion. Even if you have a perfectly healthy battery, its lifespan can be cut short if you don’t keep an eye on this, costing you time and money.
Oil
One of the most common side effects of high temperatures on your vehicle involves engine performance. Heat causes oil to thin, resulting in an increase of friction that can ultimately lead to total engine failure in worse case scenarios. The best way to prevent this is by filling your oil to the max with a less-viscous option than what you may use regularly.