CALL 888-423-7165 How to Avoid Heat-Related Car Problems By Discount Tire Centers•04 Aug, 2017•0 Comments Helpful Tips for Your Vehicle to Beat the Heat Southern California is known across the world for its beautiful, sunny summer days. Our warm weather makes it possible to soak up the sun, head to the beach, or hike to mountain peaks. And to participate in most of the area's activities, you need reliable transportation. But, on extremely hot days, your car may experience heat-related performance issues. These problems may prevent you from reaching your desired destination, especially if your car is not well maintained. If you want to make sure hot temperatures don't ruin your summer fun, review our list of heat-related car problems below. You'll discover which problems might affect your car and how to avoid those issues altogether. 1. Beware of Tire Blowouts Be honest: how often do you check your tire pressure? You should be checking it at least once a month, but many drivers don't pull out the pressure gauge unless they have a reason to, such as seeing a dashboard light turn on or hitting an object while driving. In hot weather, tire pressure matters even more than under normal weather conditions. Your tires heat up when you drive, and that combined with the extra heat from the pavement can make it hard for them to do their job if they aren’t properly inflated. To keep your tires speeding safely across California roads, check your tire pressure monthly. Always check tire pressure when tires have been resting a while. You may get a less accurate reading if you check pressure after a drive. While you check the pressure, also evaluate your tire wear. If the tires look bald or uneven, replace them with safe, new models. 2. Treat Your Battery Right Hot temperatures may cause your battery fluid to evaporate faster than normal. When this occurs, the internal components become more likely to corrode. Plus, the combination of summer heat and typical vibrations caused by driving can break down your battery at an accelerated pace. You can perform a few simple tasks to reduce your chance of battery trouble in the heat: Ensure that your battery is mounted securely to minimize vibration-induced damage. Clean the battery of any corrosion, particularly around the terminals. Ask a mechanic to test your battery and determine how much life it has left. Also, always carry jumper cables in your vehicle so you can revive your battery in a pinch. 3. Rely on A/C for More Than Comfort In Southern California, a working automobile air conditioner seems like a necessity, not a luxury. But if your car's air conditioner goes on the fritz a lot, you may try to just live with it. Not the best idea. When your car spews out cool air despite the hot weather, you and your passengers stay comfortable. You can also avoid fatigue and stay safe while driving. In addition, air conditioning problems may be related to other car issues, such as a low refrigerant level. You may even need to replace the air filter to improve the climate control system's efficiency. If your air conditioner doesn't work, ask a mechanic to evaluate it and recommend a repair. 4. Protect Your Gas Tank Gas prices are no joke, and Southern California drivers pay more per gallon than most other vehicle owners in the country. If your wallet feels the burn every time you pump gas, you may not like learning that hot temperatures can cause some gas in your tank to evaporate. While you can't entirely prevent this from happening, you can do a few things to make it happen less. Try the following: Park your car in the shade so your car stays cool. Twist the cap on as tight as you can after each fill up. Buy gas early in the morning or later at night when temperatures are cooler. Also, keep your eye out for gas leaks on your driveway or your typical parking spot. Ask a mechanic to check your fuel line if you notice any drips. 5. Get Your Engine a Checkup No matter what the weather is doing, your car's engine heats up anytime you turn the key and start the ignition. So when that heat meets hot air outside, your engine's cooling system has to work overtime to keep your engine in a safe temperature zone. Like any other car fluid, engine coolant needs a top-off from time to time. And for many vehicles, a full engine flush is recommended every five years or every 50,000 miles (whichever occurs first). During an engine flush, a mechanic will replace all the coolant in your car and clean out gunk that accumulates in the engine. Check with your mechanic to see if your vehicle is eligible for a flush. Don't Get Stuck in the Heat Car problems are annoying at any time, but they can be the worst when you find yourself stranded on a 100- degree day. Use the tips above to reduce your chances of experiencing a heat-related car problem. Remember to bring your car to Discount Tire and Service Centers for regular maintenance as part of those efforts. ← Older PostNewer Post → Share Tweet Share Mail More Posts We're Hiring! © Copyright 2021 Discount Tire & Service Centers. All Rights Reserved. Warranty Policies | Privacy Policy