Tips for Summerizing your Vehicle

We all know how important it is to protect ourselves from the sun’s harmful rays, but with the hot summer months in front of us, car owners should also be thinking about protecting their vehicles from the heat. Drastic changes in weather can aggravate existing problems and cause any unchecked weaknesses to turn into serious issues. Whether you are planning a cross country road trip during the summer months, or simply using your car around town, there are important steps that you should take to summer-ize your car and ensure all aspects of your vehicle are ready and protected for the upcoming months of hot weather driving.

–         Wash away the remnants of winter and give your car a good wax job to help protect the body and paint job from damaging UV rays. Check at your local auto supply store for products that are geared specifically towards sun protection.

–         Use a protective coating such as Armor All on the interior elements of your vehicle like the dash, seats and steering wheel. You should also use a sun shield in the windshield to help block the sun’s rays while your car is parked.

–         Refill all of your fluid levels such as windshield wiper and transmission fluid and coolant, which can evaporate more quickly during the warm summer months.

–         Check you tires for air pressure as well as any cracks, bulges or signs of weathering and replace them if necessary. Hot roads are more damaging to tires, and can cause a higher chance of blowout.

–          Change the oil in your vehicle to help ensure you get the best performance out of it over the summer. AA1 Car.com recommends opting for synthetic oil during the summer as it works better in the heat.

–         Make sure your battery is still good and does not need to be replaced before you start your summer driving. Hot weather can be extra demanding on batteries because the liquid within the battery will evaporate more quickly.

–          Have your mechanic give your vehicle a general maintenance checkup to ensure there are no problems or potential problems that could be created by the heat. This includes checking for frayed and damaged belts, which are used in many capacities throughout your car.

–         Ensure your air conditioning is in good working order before embarking on any hot weather drives. You will appreciate this foresight when you are driving along in the blistering temperatures.

Taking these steps in advance will help you avoid common hot weather driving pitfalls and help make your summer driving experience more enjoyable!

To read more on a broad range of subjects from “How To Change A Tire” to “How To Jumpstart Your Car”, visit DefensiveDriving.com’s Safe Driver Resources website!

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