When the weather is hot and humid, it’s important to do whatever you can to protect your car. Prevention is the best way to ensure that it isn’t damaged by the heat. Here are five tips for protecting your car during hot weather.
Check Your Battery
Want to avoid a roadside service call? Get your battery tested before the scorching summer weather hits, so you know that it’s up to the task. The hotter the weather, the faster your battery fluid evaporates. So keep an eye on your battery terminals and wipe away any corrosion that has built up.
Keep Fluids Topped Up
During a heatwave, make sure you check your fluids. This includes engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid. When these fluids are low, the engine has trouble carrying heat away from its components.
Does your car need to be filled with coolant? You should check your owner’s manual or the dashboard to see if it’s time for your vehicle to have its coolant changed. Otherwise, make sure you’ve filled it up to the correct level.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Even though it may not be apparent at first sight, shadows can offer a lot of relief in the summer. Find parking spots that are sheltered from direct sunlight or look for a shady area.
Leave your windows down an inch or two for air-conditioning purposes. You can purchase tinted visors that prevent light and make the windows less noticeable, for security purposes.
Use A Sun Shade
Parking your car in the sun is never a good idea. Your car will get hot and end up with an unsightly dried-out, cracked dashboard if you don’t stop it right away. You should keep a windshield shade available at all times to avoid these damages. It’s a good idea to have a windshield shade on hand so that you can avoid parking in the sun if a shade spot isn’t available.
Keep Your Vehicle Clean and Protected
You can protect your dash from the elements by using a car detailing product and minimize glare by applying an anti-glare film. Seat covers are useful for keeping your car’s seats cool in hot weather, you could also tint your windows to reduce the damage from direct sunlight. If you have leather seats, keep them conditioned during summer and make sure to apply conditioner every few weeks to avoid cracking.
Sunlight and hot temperatures can do a number on your car exterior. A wax job can provide some protection from the sun’s damaging UV rays.
Tire, Hose, and Belt Maintenance
Keep an eye on your tires and hoses during particularly hot days! Underinflated tires can cause blowouts when the pavement is scorched. In addition, hot weather makes hoses and drive belts more likely to fail, so inspect them for any signs of damage or deterioration every so often.
To learn more about protecting your car from the summertime heat, or if you want your car look over by a professional, contact us today.
