Most people know that they need to be really careful when driving during winter but they fail to understand how dangerous summer heat can be. When the day is really hot, the car can be affected and driving conditions are not as ideal as many believe. This is why you absolutely need to know the following.
Car Maintenance
Extreme heat can impact your driving experience. You need to be sure that all the heat-related problems stay away from the vehicle. Something as simple as choosing the right tires can be a huge difference. Always be sure that you consider the following to prepare for hot weather:
Check Car Fluids
During really hot weather, you need to be particularly careful with car fluids. The most important ones that have to be checked are:
Coolant fluid – Overheating happens if you do not have enough coolant.
- Motor oil
- Brake fluid
- Transmission fluid
- Windshield wiper fluid
- Power-steering fluid (if applicable)
- Inspect Hoses And Belts
Hoses and belts can be examined at home if you know what you are looking for. If not, the best thing that you can do is talk to a mechanic. Due to intense heat, it is possible that hoses and belts end up damaged. The most common damages are blistering and cracking. Whenever these appear, what is damaged has to be quickly replaced.
Replace Car Battery
When the car has an older battery, problems appear due to high summer temperatures. You need to avoid the really expensive repairs so be sure that the battery is tested. It needs to be replaced whenever the mechanic tells you it is a necessity. This will cost you a lot less than the other repairs that could appear.
Monitor Tire Pressure
Every single time you visit a gas station during summer, you should check the pressure of your tires. If you own a gauge, you can also do this in your garage.
The power with tires is that they expand as they are exposed to high heat. You need to be sure pressure is proper so that the vehicle does not end up affected by other potential issues that could appear.
Get An Emergency Car Kit
The emergency car kit should be inside the car every single time that you drive it. This includes both the winter and the summer. The kit has to be stored in an area that is accessible and safe. It needs to include items like:
- Flashlight
- Water
- Road flares
- Jumper cables
- First aid kit
Food items – always non-perishable
When you have these in your kit, you are much more secure in the event that something bad happens.
Maintain The Interior Of The Car Cool
The engine needs enough coolant but during really hot days, the interior of the vehicle should be better monitored and you have to be sure it is cool. The air conditioning system should be constantly checked. The vehicle that has cabin air filters need to have these inspected and whenever needed, they have to be replaced.
Take The Highway
Last but not least, highways are simply better during really cold summer days. They can easily handle more extreme heat, which is not something that can be said about regular streets. The only thing that you have to be careful with is tire maintenance since it would be horrible to end up with a blowout one as you drive on the highway.
