With the temperature rising and summer road trips on the horizon, now is the time to ensure that your car is in good shape to withstand the summer heat. The heat can be relentless, and the inside of an automobile is very unforgiving on hot summer days. If you want your car to run smoothly and get you to your beach parties and beyond this summer, follow the seven tips below to keep your car moving in the right direction.
Check the Fluids
Just like humans need to make sure to get their fluids when summer’s heat takes hold, you need to make sure that your car’s fluids are filled to avoid overheating or other problems. The coolant in your car is used, as the name suggests, to cool the engine, which is especially important on hot summer days so it does not overheat. Another important fluid to top off is the windshield wiper fluid. With so much pollen falling from the trees at this time of year, your windshield can get pretty gunked up. Seeing clearly is important, so make sure there is enough windshield wiper fluid to get you through the hot summer months!
Change the Oil
There is nothing worse on a hot summer day than sludgy oil. If you want your car to run smoothly and get you to your summer activities with ease, then get your car in for its scheduled oil changes so the whole system will run better. Most used cars need their oil changed every 3,000 miles, or 3 months. This keeps your car running more efficiently and smoothly, and is a very important maintenance factor to keep up with.
Activate the AC
There is perhaps nothing more important to your summer comfort while driving than having the air conditioning on. Double check that your AC is working properly so that you do not have to sweat through the city. A little maintenance will go a long way in keeping you cool.
Replace the Air Filters
Once you have checked that your car’s air conditioning is going strong, make sure that the air filters are clean as well. Just like gunky oil can slow down your engine, gunked up air filters can ruin the air flow in your car. Trust us, when the temperatures soar, you will need every bit of cool air that you can find.
Double Check the Tires
Tire pressure can change drastically depending on the temperature, and you definitely want tires that are adequately inflated. If you have the right tire pressure, this can prevent a flat tire or a tire blowout, which is very important for safe driving. Experts recommend a tire pressure between 30 and 35 PSI (pounds per square inch). Keep your tires inflated to this PSI for maximum benefit.
Keep it Clean
Keeping your car clean is important at any time of year, but never more so than in the summer. Because the interior of the car can heat up so quickly, any junk, food, or random pieces of plastic can melt and cause trouble by sticking to the seats or carpet. This would be a hassle in time and money spent to clean it up, so it is important to keep your car clean from the beginning.
Stay in the Shade
As previously discussed, temperatures in closed cars can increase dramatically and dangerously, and this can be a detriment to your vehicle. If at all possible, park in the shade so that your car has a chance to cool down. If nothing else, this is a nod to self preservation when you are getting back into it!
If you are looking for a used car to take on your next road trip, or to pack up the kids to head for some summer fun, the used car experts at Simons Motor Cars will help you every step of the way. We are conveniently located on the Bedford Auto Mile, and have some great deals for you this summer.