- Check Your A/C System
Have your air conditioning system checked. It is not uncommon for some freon to leak out during the winter, which will cause your compressor to overwork itself. Another no-cost or low-cost thing to have checked is your battery. Hot weather will often knock out a weak battery, and if you have it checked, you’ll know how much life it has left.
- Check Coolant Levels
Check your coolant and make sure it is fresh and up to the proper level. Not making sure of this when it is hot outside can cause you a lot of problems and expense.
- Check Your Tires
Hot roads are hard on tires, which is why you see so much loose rubber on our highways. Make sure to have the proper amount of tread and if you do, make sure you have the proper air pressure.
- Replace Windshield Wiper Blades
If you have not done so in the past year, go ahead and replace those windshield wipers blades. The hot sun will deteriorate wiper blades.
5/6. Check Belts and Hoses
Check your belts and hoses under the hood. Again, more rubber products and heat are hard on them. You can have a professional do it, or you can eyeball them for cracks or small cuts.
- Top off Fluids
While you are under the hood or having your car checked by a certified technician, top off the fluids. Fluids are critical when the temperature outside rises.
- Protect Your Car’s Paint
Last, if you haven’t done it, get a coat of wax on your paint. We don’t have the oxidation issues with paint we once did, but wax will do a good job of protecting your factory finish or the clearcoat on top of the paint if applicable. This should be done especially if you regularly use automatic car washes that tend to put light surface scratches on your finish.
PHOTO CAP: Avoid summer car trouble