Dog Days of Summer
6 Crucial Tips for Beating the Heat
The hottest days of summer seem to always arrive at the very end right before school starts. We all want to make the most of every summer moment, but it’s difficult when you feel like you are melting two minutes after stepping outside your front door.
Whether enjoying summer family excursions, taking a final family road trip, shopping for school supplies or picking up the kids from summer activities at the end of the workday, make sure your car stays in top notch shape. Keep things cool and functional with these tips for beating the summer heat in your car.
Check your tire pressure. We usually don't think about tire pressure when it's hot, but we want to avoid flat tires on summer-scorched roads. Even a cool front in the summer can reduce the pressure in your tires. Refer to your car’s maintenance guide for the ideal pressure level. Make sure to regularly check the spare, especially during travel seasons.
Maintain your air conditioning. Hot weather makes your air conditioning system work hard to keep vehicle occupants cool and comfortable. Make sure your AC is functioning efficiently and keep repairs at bay with maintenance checks. A certified mechanic can look at the system and ensure parts are working properly and not in need of repair or replacement.
Replace worn out windshield wipers. Hot weather can cause the windshield wiper blades to become brittle and chipped. We recommend replacing wiper blades at least twice a year and purchasing the nicest wiper blades you can afford. Purchasing nicer blades in the first place gives you longer between replacements and ensures the windshield wipers do their job between replacements.
Don’t delay an oil change. It’s easy to put it off and put it off until a more convenient time, but delaying an oil change is a huge no-no, especially during extreme temperatures. Proper engine care begins with regularly scheduled oil changes. Making this a priority will help you prolong the life of your car and help ensure you aren’t stranded on the side of the road because your car’s engine overheated. Follow the schedule and take care of oil and filter changes regularly.
Check hoses, fluids and battery terminals. There’s more to keeping your car trundling down the road than topping off the oil if an indicator light goes on. Engine oil should be clean, hoses should be in good shape, fluids levels need to be optimal and battery terminals should be clean. A good practice is to just give the guts of your car under the hood a good visual inspection every time you get your oil changed. Don’t just rely on the technician at the oil change shop to tell you what you need. Take things into your own hands and get familiar with what’s under the hood so you know when things are amiss or starting to wear. You’ll feel empowered and confident in your vehicle’s functionality by taking a role in maintaining it beyond the service center drop off.
Clean your car inside and out. In addition to the mental health benefits of driving a clean and tidy car, keeping your car clean is a smart move because it helps you maintain the vehicle’s value. Regularly exterior washing should be followed with a good quality wax, which acts a little like sunscreen for your car, protecting the clear coat and paint from intense light and heat. Summer is a great time of year to upgrade to a platinum exterior wash. Additionally, regularly cleaning the interior surfaces and applying a surface protectant can keep the surfaces from becoming dry and cracked. When visiting Snap Clean for your regular wash, make sure to use our free spray cleaner and microfiber towels to wipe down all the interior surfaces. Our spray cleaner will remove dust as well as helping to protect the interior from sun damage. If you have leather interior, we recommend following up with a leather-specific protectant.
Get more car care and healthy driving tips from our blog.
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