Summer is already here now and temperature is going to increase with every passing week, in other words more car troubles. It’s time for engine overheating, air-conditioning going off and tires getting punctured. Quite honestly a lot people particularly the ones those driving their vehicles from point A to B have speculation that it is a big deal to take care of daily life maintenance when in reality it’s basic easy stuff. Now I don’t have a problem if you take it to a mechanic for summer checkup but chances are you can be ripped off or end up paying more if you are unaware of basic set of instructions.

With the temperature on rise and engine scorching out more & more heat, chances are that your car/SUV/truck might get you stuck in middle of road. No one wants a heated engine or a burst tire when ideally you should be on beach having a Pina Colada. In addition summer is the time for road trips all around the country so in that case it is strongly recommended to have these measures for a safe trip.

Add coolness with coolant:

Coolant is your best friend that will stop engine from over-heating. The coolant absorbs excessive heat coming from engine hence prevents engine from over-heating. It’s also called anti-freeze and usually comes in bright yellow or green color. Make sure you add coolant with water in the radiator.

Check fluids in your car:

It is really important to check the fluid levels with the onset of summer. The higher temperature is more fluid will be your car burning. Check engine oil, transmission fluid, power-steering fluid and brake fluid.

Gasket problems:

Notice any bubbles coming out of radiator just when the summer started. It could mean the head gasket of your car is blown. Get it checked and replaced to save the motor blowing up. This is common especially if you drive an old car.

Engine heating problem:

If suddenly your engine heats up on road, pull up and turn the vehicle off. Patiently wait for the car to cool down. Under any case do not throw water on engine as it will immediately cause engine to seize. Apart from that, do not open radiator cap while the engine is hot. The moment you open radiator cap, hot pressurized water can hit you in face and cause burn. Let the car cool down for good 20-30 minutes before taking any measure.

Check your AC ASAP:

With the start of summer, you should check your air-conditioning weeks before you have to use it. Why? Because once its summer everyone will be running for ac services and troubleshooting which means long ques on ac technicians and specialists.  Therefore blast your ac on full and notice the cooling. Get your mechanic check and fill gas, you may need new compressor sometimes. Ac lines should also be check for leaking issues along with ac filter.

Check and inflate tires:

Tires are the only medium between you and the road so it’s essential to have proper healthy tires. With the weather being hot tires are subjected to more heat. Dried tires with finish threads can lead to blasting up so it’s worth getting new tires if old ones aren’t up to mark. It is also advised to keep tires pressure 1-2 PSI below the recommended limit. This is because as the temperature inside tires increases, so does pressure. Hence slightly lower pressure is recommended.

Inspect vehicle seals and belt:

With higher temperatures worn out rubber parts will worn out subjected to more wear & tear. Check for generator belt& alternator belt in engine especially in old cars. Other rubber parts and seals should also be checked.

Update your emergency kit:

First aid kit is a must have in every vehicle. Buy one if you don’t have it or check the existing one, Lookout for expired medicines and creams. Stay safe on road.

 Save your interior from sun:

It is most likely that the interior can fade when vehicle is parked directly in sunlight. Therefore buy a sun shade and put it on front screen when parking in open.

Battery failures:

Higher temperature in summer will cause the fluid in battery to evaporate thus leading to corrosion of terminals. Thus clean the terminals often especially when you notice any build up on the area so that clamps should fit properly to the terminals.

Check up on your vipers:

Your vipers enable you to drive in harsh conditions during winters, getting you through rain and snowfall. Therefore check for wiper blades and replace them.

Other useful tips:

Often times when parked in sun, the steering wheel is too hot to put hands on. Therefore in order to save you from it do this. Once you park the car, turn the steering to 180ᵒ. This way the steering portion that you hold on will be downwards in shade.

As the vehicle is hot once you get in, roll down all the windows blast the ac on full and drive for 30-40 seconds with the windows down. This way hot air will be expelled outside.

Cars usually get stinky and smell bad, attach a car air freshener in front of ac grille ac so for a pleasant scent.

Do not place power bank or any electronic accessories powered by batteries in dashboard or on the dashboard while your car is standing in sun. A number of vehicle fires have been reported in which excessive heat caused the batteries to explode thus leading into fire. This applies for big bottles of air fresheners too.

Keep your clean; polish it in decent gaps so that the paint could stay in best shape.