LANSING, Mich. — As the cool weather is coming to an end and the summer heat is starting to ramp up, many of us are looking to prepare for the next couple of months of warmth. Certain things need more attention in the summer as they are more prone to overheating. When it comes to your car, there are specific features that can be severely affected by heat, so you’ll want to know how to monitor them before any accidents happen.
The heat can take its toll on many aspects of driving and cars, such as pavement, fluid levels, and tires. If you aren’t diligent about keeping your car in good shape in the summer, further problems can arise. One great way to make sure your car is always taken care of in times of need is to have a reliable auto insurance policy. To learn more about these policies, check out some Michigan car insurance quotes.
Here are 5 summer car care tips you’ll want to know:
Don’t wash your car in direct sunlight
We all know how intense the sun can be during the summer. Washing your car at home is not something you want to do in direct sunlight. As you cover your car in soap and water, the extreme heat can cause your car to dry too quickly. As your car dries, soap residue can be left on the paint of your car, which can damage your car’s finish.
If you must wash your car in the sun, work quickly and in small sections. Be sure to wet, wash, rinse and dry before the sun has the chance to do it for you.
Test your AC
AC systems that are weaker or at the end of their life may be at risk of failure during the hot summer months. As many of us put our AC systems on blast to combat the oven-like feel of a car on a hot day, many systems may not make it to the end of summer.
To check if your AC is in good shape, you may want to take it to a mechanic. Having your AC break in the middle of summer is not something you want to experience, so if your AC is older, take care of it before it dies.
Keep your tire pressure in check
In the summer, your tires run the risk of blowing out. This is not only a pricey fix, but having your tires blow out while you are driving is extremely dangerous. The summer heat not only affects the pressure and temperature of your tires themselves, but it also causes pavement to overheat as well.
You should be able to regularly check your tire pressure for free at your local car maintenance shop, or by yourself with a tire pressure gauge. If you aren’t sure what tire pressure your tires need to be at, you should be able to locate the number on a sticker in the inside of your car door.
Test your battery
The summer sun can your car battery to heat up, which can speed up the battery corrosionprocess. It can also lead to the evaporation of your car battery’s fluids, which can damage the battery even further.
To get an idea of what shape your car battery is in, you’ll want to have the battery checked by a professional. If your car battery already has a lot of corrosion and little power left, chances are, the summer will cause your battery to die at some point.
Check fluid levels
There are a few different fluid levels you’ll need to check in the summer. As mentioned earlier, the heat can cause a lot of things to evaporate -- even gas. As fluid runs low, your car is more prone to overheating. The fluids you’ll want to keep an eye on and top off include coolant, motor oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and washer fluid.
As long as you keep track of what shape your car is in, you should be set during the hot summer months. It’s certainly better to be proactive by keeping your car working properly than to break down or lose AC in the middle of a drive. Also, be alert, and drive safely this summer!
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