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How Does the Summer Heat Affect Your Vehicle?

Roberta Willson • July 1, 2021

1. Battery


The summer heat can certainly affect your battery, in fact heat is one of the worst things for a battery. When you are driving your vehicle for those long summer trips, the extra vibration coupled with the heat can really damage your battery. It would be wise to bring jumper cables or a battery box with you and be sure to check your battery for corrosion. 



2. Cooling System/Coolant 



In the summer months coolant is one of the factors to keep in mind. Low coolant can kill your engine. This is more common in the summer months because your vehicle is working extra hard to keep the right temperatures and can fail due to being overheated. It is important to pay attention to your gauges to try and prevent overheating. You will also want to make sure your coolant tank is full. 

3. Tires


A great year round habit to get into  is to check your tire pressure as part of your vehicle maintenance. In the summer months, when your tires heat up and expand there is a possibility of over-inflation which increases the pressure on your tire. This can cause a blowout and if you lose control of the vehicle then that blowout can cause more damage than just a replacement tire. You can check your tire pressure at local gas stations or purchase a tire gauge to monitor your tire pressure in the summer months to keep you and your passengers safe. 

4. Engine Oil


Another factor to be aware of during the summer months is your engine oil. A hot engine needs lubrication and is important to keep an eye on in the heat.. People tend to take more road trips during the summer and as a result you may need to change your vehicle's oil more often. Do not neglect this task, stay on track with your oil changes and do not let your vehicle go extra miles without changing the oil in order to save yourself time and money in the long run. 


5. Air Conditioning


Last but certainly not least, your air conditioning! Sometimes the air conditioning system gets confused with the cooling system. While the cooling system maintains the temperature of the engine, the air conditioning system is in charge of the heat regulation where you and your passengers ride. The air conditioning system is something you need to think about when bringing your vehicle in for regular servicing in order to stay proactive before you find yourself without it in those hot summer months!


Summary


While the summer months are usually full of family time, travel and fun, it is important to allow yourself time to maintain your vehicle. Make sure to get your vehicle serviced regularly in order to stay proactive. Before gearing up for a road trip, check your engine oil, coolant tank, battery, and don’t forget those tires! If you find yourself in need of replacement vehicle parts for any reason, call us at R.H. Willson. We offer a 90-day warranty on all parts and can even help with the installation. 

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