It's Thursday and it feels like summer is just around the corner. It's perfect weather for hanging out at the pool or doing a little camping. With the beginning of the summer marks an ideal time to make sure your cavehicle is in good working condition. The high temperatures of summer can be tough on your car or truck - everything from the paint down to the tires is subjected to harsher than normal conditions. Gone unchecked, some issues could leave you stranded. Here are a few tips to help make sure you and your vehicle are protected against the hot Kansas summer heat.
-- Check your fluids and perform regular maintenance.
-- Confirm proper tire pressure to avoid a blowout and improve fuel
economy.
-- Keep yourself cool with a/c and your vehicle cool by parking in the
shade.
Fluids like coolant, motor oil and windshield washer fluid are things
motorists can regularly check on their own. Engine coolant, sometimes called
antifreeze, is the number one thing motorists should stay on top of in the
summer months. Since modern cars have a closed system for coolant, checking or
adding coolant is easy. This is generally done through the coolant reservoir
located under the hood. Consult your owner's manual for a specific location. Be
sure the coolant level is between the minimum and maximum markings, adding more
if necessary. But
NEVER open the radiator cap or coolant tank
lid when the engine is hot.
Tire pressure is also important, especially in summer months. As the outside
temperature climbs, the air in your car's tires expands, so check your tire
pressure when the tires are at a normal temperature - before you set out on a
road trip. Also, be sure to use the proper tire pressure for your car, not the
maximum pressure listed on the tire sidewall. Check the recommended tire
pressure label in the door jamb or glove compartment, or consult your owner's
manual.
Tires that are over- or underinflated can reduce the vehicle's handling
capability or generate excess heat, causing a blowout. Although most newer cars
have an on-board tire pressure monitoring system, get a good quality tire
pressure gauge - a dial-type analog unit or digital gauge, not a straight,
pen-type one - and check them yourself every few months. Don't forget to check
the pressure in your spare tire, too. It's like an insurance policy. You never
know when you might need it.
Along with the heat, summer also means more long-distance road trips that
reveal the high cost of poor fuel economy. So it's a good time to keep up
periodic maintenance like oil and filter changes and inspection or replacement
of the air cleaner and fuel filters. Not only are these essential to the
durability of your engine in the long term, but neglecting them will cause poor
fuel economy in the short term, too. Performing regular maintenance means it
will take less fuel to make that long highway trip. Maintaining proper tire
pressure and using cruise control on the highway can further improve fuel
economy, keeping your summer fuel costs down.
While air conditioning can be a drag on fuel economy in stop-and-go driving,
keeping the windows up and the a/c on improves aerodynamics and is ideal on the
highway. Plus, it will keep the driver and passengers comfortable and reduce
driver fatigue. Have your air conditioning system checked annually. If your
car's a/c is not getting cold, chances are you have a leak in the system. Adding
refrigerant will only solve the problem temporarily, so invest in a proper
repair. Some a/c systems have a cabin air filtration system. Check your owner's
manual to see how often the filter should be changed. And if you see a little
water dripping from your car, don't worry. The a/c system drains condensation
when it's working properly.
Keeping your car cool when you're not driving is important, too. The heat of
the summer sun can cause cosmetic damage to your car and make it harder to cool
off inside when it's time to drive. Protect your paint and interior by parking
in a garage or under an awning when possible. Regularly wax your vehicle using a
polish with UV protection to reduce sun damage and paint fading. Protect the
interior, too. Purchasing a $10 sunshade that keeps sunlight from coming in the
windshield can reduce fading, drying and cracking inside your vehicle, and keep
you cooler when you sit down behind the wheel.
Preparation is a key to handling harsh summer heat. Following these simple
tips will help your vehicle to perform its best this summer. Not only will you
and your vehicle be better prepared to survive the heat, but you'll also make
the most of your summer by enjoying the freedom that a well-cared-for car can
offer. That certainly beats being stranded in the heat.
What it means to you: Don't get stranded in the heat.
Maintain your car year-round, but make special preparations for dealing with the
hazards of summer, too.
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