• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Auto Trends Magazine

Car reviews, industry news, & advice.

summer

How to Prepare Your Car for a
Long, Hot Summer

July 22, 2019 by admin 1 Comment

Extreme weather can take its toll on your car, making it difficult to get it started on cold mornings and overheating on the hottest days. Summer throws heat, dust, and traffic tie-ups your way, increasing the likelihood that you will face a breakdown. The following preventive maintenance tips can keep your car running smoothly throughout the next heatwave.


Excess corrosion can adversely impact the battery.

Check the Battery

An old battery may not survive the summer. If your car’s battery is near the end of its useful life, then replace it. Older batteries simply cannot provide a full charge and won’t be able to handle the heavy electric demands placed on it by your climate control system, navigation, audio system, and lights. Newer batteries can also fail if there is a build-up of corrosion. You can safely remove battery corrosion yourself, a job best handled with baking soda, a few hand tools, and petroleum jelly.

Change Your Fluids

Most drivers will change their oil twice annually or at least as often as the intervals outlined in their owner’s manual. Timing your oil changes to take place before extreme temperatures kick in is a sensible approach to preventive maintenance. Your owner’s manual will list the right oil grade for your car. You will notice some differences in viscosity between winter and summer oils, the latter permitting a slightly thicker oil. Where 5W30 oil may be needed in the winter, 10W30 oil may be ideal for the summer. Change your oil fluids at this time and do the same for your brake, power steering, and transmission fluids.

Examine Belts and Hoses

A broken belt or a cracked hose can leave you stranded. Most of the time you can prevent such breakdowns by examining belts and hoses periodically. Visible signs of cracking, fraying, and bulging are among the warnings telling you that something needs to be replaced. Other signs are not so apparent and require a more thorough examination. For belts, you can check for tightness when the engine is turned off. Simply press down on each belt with your thumb and if you observe that it gives more than one-quarter of an inch, it should be replaced.


Belts and hoses are subject to wear and tear.

For hoses, particularly the vacuum hose, you will want to examine it when the car is running. Lift and secure the hood, and listen for a hissing noise. Avoid any moving parts by carefully moving your hand across the surface of the hose to discover its leak. Your fingers will be pulled against the hose if a leak is apparent and the car’s idle may change as you cover the hole. Replace as needed.

Check Climate and Coolant Systems

Your climate control system cools your car’s cabin. Your coolant system keeps your engine running smoothly, sending cooling fluids through the engine block to prevent overheating. Both systems should be examined prior to your next summer road trip. If you had your coolant replaced within the past year, you can top off a cooled down radiator with a 50:50 mixture of coolant and water. Otherwise, replace coolant that has been in place for at least a year.

You can purchase a radiator flush kit and do the job yourself or let your mechanic handle it. Either way, it isn’t a job you want to put off as a blown engine gasket may be the price you will have to pay for your neglect. Your climate control system contains refrigerant and this fluid can leak, forcing your compressor to work harder. That puts a strain on your engine and, like the coolant system, it is a key contributor to summer breakdowns. Your mechanic can pressure test the system, diagnose problems and replenish the refrigerant.

Take Note of the Rubber

Excessive heat causes the rubber to lose its elasticity, wearing out your wiper blades faster. You want a good pair of blades in place for your summer drive and replacing them with silicone rubber provides improved visibility and durability. Your tires are also made from rubber and are subject to aging as well as wear and tear.

Excessive heat can magnify tire problems causing tires to flex more. Cracks, rot or other problems can quickly lead to tire failure. Keep your tires inflated to the proper level, rotate them every 6,000 miles, and replace your worn-out rubber.

As summer’s heat settles in, your car should be ready to handle the worst weather conditions. Ensure that your headlights, turn signal lights, and tail lights are in working order too, replacing burnt-out bulbs as needed.


See Also — 6 Points About Buying a Used Car

Filed Under: Ownership Experience Tagged With: belts, car care, climate control, fluids, flush kit, hoses, summer, tires

Summer Daze: Tips for Keeping Your Car Running During Hot Weather

June 24, 2016 by admin 2 Comments

Avanti

Temperature extremes can wreak havoc on your car, increasing the likelihood of a problem leading to a breakdown. Indeed, sub-zero weather may keep your car from starting, while a heatwave can cause it to overheat.

Summer weather is here and with it comes extreme temperatures. No, the Fahrenheit does not need to top 90 degrees to cause mischief. However, a combination of poor maintenance habits and heat can conspire to suddenly disable your car, forcing you to call for assistance.

Here’s how to keep your car running during hot weather.

Examine Your Owner’s Manual

The best way to avoid a breakdown is to keep your car properly maintained. And that maintenance is outlined in your owner’s manual, typically tucked away in your glove box, gathering dust.

Pull out the owner’s manual and familiarize yourself with it. Learn what maintenance due items are coming up and complete them, especially if you are planning a long trip. Look back as well — you may have missed something.

Consider Severe Duty Car Care

As you examine your owner’s manual, you will typically find two levels of car care — standard and severe service. Severe duty may pertain only to a few things, such as changing the oil and fluids.

Standard care routinely covers vehicles where owners drive to work or use their cars for personal use. On the other hand, severe service should be applied to vehicles operated in dusty conditions or for vehicles used to regularly tow, operate in sandy areas, or aren’t driven enough.

Adopt the severe schedule if you live in a southern state or wherever high temperatures are constant for several months during the summer. Older vehicles or models with 75,000 or miles on the odometer should also adhere to the more rigorous severe duty schedule, covering oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and radiator coolant changes. Include your filter changes — oil, air, and fuel — and replace your cabin filter too.

Under the Hood

Beyond fluids, there are other things to examine while you’re looking under the hood. Start with your car’s battery to ensure the connection points are clean and secure. If your battery is old, check it with a voltmeter. If the battery voltage comes in less than 12.45 volts, it should be recharged with a battery charger. If the battery will not accept and hold a charge, then it should be replaced.

Belts and hoses are two other areas that must be checked. For belts, look for signs of wear and tear, sliding your fingers across the belt to pinpoint cracking, fraying, and missing sections. Check tension by pushing down on the belt. If it gives more than a half-inch, then change it.

As for hoses, check only when the engine has cooled. A hose is sufficient if it feels firm to the touch. On the other hand, you’ll want to replace it if has soft or mushy areas. Cracks and fraying are two other problems — both can lead to leaks.

Don’t Forget Your Tires

The only things separating two tons of car from the road are your tires. Thus, it is very important your tires are in top shape, especially for your next trip.

When properly inflated, tires offer sufficient grip on road surfaces. Oppositely, under-inflated tires can affect fuel economy, handling, and hasten tire wear. Tires with tread wear indicators showing should be replaced.

Adequately inflate your tires to the level outlined on the placard located on the driver’s door jamb. Don’t follow the number listed on the tires. Your spare tire should be in excellent shape and fully inflated. But know this: if your car is equipped with an air inflator kit, it won’t do you any good if you have a blowout. Therefore, consider bringing a full-size spare with you.

Getting it Done

There are a few more areas of your car to examine before you take to the road this summer.

Replace your worn wiper blades, check the air conditioning for sufficient cooling, replace burnt out lights, and test your brakes. Blades and bulb replacement you can handle yourself; coolant systems and brake care may require the assistance of an automotive technician.

Finally, you handle most problems en route if your car is equipped with basic tools, a flashlight and replacement batteries, duct tape, and a spare belt and hoses. An emergency kit contains many of these same items and can be assembled on your own or purchased.


See Also — How to Prepare Your Car for a Long, Hot Summer

Photo copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Car Tips Tagged With: automotive, battery, car care, car tips, fluids, summer, tires, wiper blades

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • 4 Car Upholstery Cleaning Tips
  • The 14 Brands of Stellantis
  • Peugeot May Not Return to the U.S. Market After All
  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival
  • GM Launches BrightDrop, Its Commercial EV Brand

Recent Comments

  • Temporary Repair Steps and Tips for Windshields — Auto Trends Magazine on 4 Car Upholstery Cleaning Tips
  • Pandemic Times: Car Disinfecting Tips — Auto Trends Magazine on 4 Car Upholstery Cleaning Tips
  • How to Detail Your Car Like a Professional — Auto Trends Magazine on 4 Car Upholstery Cleaning Tips
  • 4 Car Upholstery Cleaning Tips — Auto Trends Magazine on How to Detail Your Car Like a Professional
  • 4 Car Upholstery Cleaning Tips — Auto Trends Magazine on Product Review: Dyson DC31

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008

Categories

  • Auto Parts
  • Auto Shows
  • Automotive Career
  • Automotive News
  • Book Reviews
  • Car Tips
  • Classics & Discontinued Models
  • Commentary
  • Commercial Vehicles
  • Concept Vehicles
  • Dealers
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Fleet
  • Fun News
  • Maintenance & Repairs
  • Motorsport
  • New Car Reviews
  • New Models
  • Ownership Experience
  • Product Reviews
  • Special
  • Specifications
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

New!
Check out our Jobs Board!

via GIPHY

Subscribe to Auto Trends

Subscribe in a reader

Social Media

Visit our social media pages:
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Pinterest

Where is Matt Currently Published?

The Carolinian (new car reviews)
NAPA Know How Blog
On the Road Again

Pages

  • About
  • Authors List
  • Automotive Brochures
  • Contact
  • Industry Jobs
  • Write
    • Style Guide

Categories

Recent Posts

  • 4 Car Upholstery Cleaning Tips
  • The 14 Brands of Stellantis
  • Peugeot May Not Return to the U.S. Market After All
  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival
  • GM Launches BrightDrop, Its Commercial EV Brand
  • The Refreshed and Handsome
    Lexus IS 350 F Sport
  • What We Know About the All-New 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
  • The All-New and Formidable 2021 Nissan Rogue Crossover
  • Fuel-Efficiency and AWD Champion: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
  • Midsize Performance Master: 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line
  • Performance Hatchback: The All-New 2021 Mazda Mazda3 Turbo!
  • NACTOY Finalists For 2021 Offer Familiar and Futuristic Choices
  • Super Trooper: Nissan Titan Pickup
  • Behind the Wheel of the Popular 2021 Toyota Corolla Sedan
  • Lucid Motors Completes Arizona Factory
  • A Robust Turbodiesel Comes to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • Mid-Engine Masterpiece: The Eighth-Generation Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  • Compact Performance:
    2021 Cadillac CT4-V
  • All-Wheel Drive Supplies the Nissan Altima With a Competitive Edge
  • Return of the Toyota Venza!
  • Lexus Brings a Convertible to the Gorgeous LC 500 Line
  • Stellantis Logo Revealed by Peugeot, Fiat Chrysler Ahead of Spring Merger
  • Preview: 2021 Nissan Rogue Crossover
  • How to Fix a Broken Rivian Vehicle
  • Cadillac Gets Most Things Right
    With the XT6 Crossover
  • The High Potency Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Coupe
  • The All-New Chevrolet Trailblazer Forges Urban Paths
  • The Small Infiniti QX50 is Big on Tech and Engineering Features
  • Toyota Brings the TRD Treatment to the Midsize Camry Sedan
  • The Kia K5 Outclasses Most Competitors, Including the Departing Optima
  • Can the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road Handle Tough Terrain?
  • Subaru WRX Showcases Its Performance Chops
  • Infiniti Overhauls QX80 Trims and Makes This Important Safety Feature Standard
  • Ford F-250 Super Duty and a Trail-Stomping Tremor Package
  • A Cut Above: Mazda’s Mazda3
  • The Highly Efficient Hyundai Ioniq
  • Volkswagen Atlas Revels in its Strengths
  • General Motors Deepens Partnership With Honda, Takes Stake in Nikola
  • Smart Concept: Jeep Grand Wagoneer
  • More Than an Encore: Buick Encore GX
  • Got a Recall? There’s an App for That.
  • Refreshed Nissan Titan Makes Its Case
  • BMW M235i: Not Your Typical Coupe
  • Hot Stuff: Lexus RC F Sport Coupe
  • Will the Electric Vehicle Boom Create New-Found Dependencies for Foreign Minerals?
  • Rumors? We Got Them!
  • About Bollinger Motors, EV Startup
  • Raptor Fighter: Ram 1500 TRX!
  • White Space Wonder: 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport
  • About the 2021 Genesis GV80
January 2021
S M T W T F S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Dec    

Copyright © 2021 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in