As summer travel and vacation plans intensify, it is crucial to remember the risks presented by extreme temperatures for drivers and passengers. Therefore, it is advisable to make preparations early, such as having extra water available and filling your gas tank as soon as possible.
Driving in extreme heat also places undue strain on vehicle components, even those that may otherwise remain functional – even those in poor shape can experience significant wear due to rising temperatures.
1. Check Your Tires
Hot weather driving conditions can make driving even more uncomfortable and hazardous, both for yourself and for other passengers in your vehicle. When taking a road trip or just running errands, make sure that you bring along plenty of water, sun protection measures, and a fully charged cell phone in case any assistance is needed during your travels.
Check your tires’ air pressure regularly during the summer season to keep performance and wear low, and reduce unnecessary expenses. Your recommended tire pressure can usually be found on either your driver’s door jamb placard or in your owner’s manual.
2. Check Your Fluids
Hot weather dehydrates people and decreases concentration, which makes driving more hazardous. Furthermore, engine fluids may evaporate more rapidly during hot spells than usual – thus necessitating you check that all necessary liquids in your car such as engine oil, power steering fluid, and brake fluid are sufficient and fully replenished before heading out onto the roads.
Don’t forget your windshield washer fluid – the summer sun can be blinding, making it hard to see through a foggy windshield. A good rule of thumb in hot weather is to fill at least three-quarters of your tank with gas so as to avoid running out. This is especially essential if planning a road trip!
3. Check Your Tyre Pressure
Heat can expand the air in your tires, so they must remain at an ideal pressure. Tire pressure gauges can be found at most auto parts stores or gas stations and typically feature either battery-operated digital gauges or more traditional stick gauges that you screw onto valve stems to measure pressure readings. Also, be sure to consult your vehicle’s recommended tire pressure using door placards inside one of its front doors or its owner’s manual for details on proper inflation levels.
Before driving, it’s best to check your tire pressure early in the day for accurate readings as temperature fluctuations can impact tire pressure readings.
4. Check Your Windshield
As temperatures heat up, your car’s windshield may begin to fog up as humidity builds up in the atmosphere. Humid air can only absorb so much moisture (imagine filling a sponge), so once glass reaches this threshold it begins condensing and fogging occurs.
Fluctuating temperatures can exacerbate existing cracks. A small mark that was fine during warm conditions may expand and spread rapidly during a sudden temperature shift, further widening existing fractures.
Be sure to slowly increase the air conditioning once inside your car rather than blasting it all at once when turning it on, in order to reduce thermal shock and prevent cracking. Furthermore, parking indoors or under an overhang is always preferable over parking on the street.
5. Check Your Windshield Wipers
Nobody on the road hasn’t experienced that thrilling moment when a truck passes and sprays muddy water all over their windshield, rendering visibility nearly impossible and leaving an irreparable stain behind. No amount of wiper fluid will do anything to remove this muddy mess, and only time and patience can restore clear vision for driving safely ahead.
Excessive heat can also lead windshield wiper blades to degrade, creating an annoying squeak every time they attempt to clean the glass surface.
Staying vigilant during the summer can prevent many mechanical issues with your car. For your safety and peace of mind, stop by Saul’s Autotek for a comprehensive auto inspection; our certified technicians will take great care in servicing it!
6. Check Your Windshield Glass
As is well-known, car windshields can become vulnerable to cracking and chipping from hot temperatures and sudden temperature shifts, leading to expansion and contraction cycles that erode their structural integrity and cause stress cracks that reduce visibility.
For maximum protection from stress cracks, start your air conditioning at a lower setting and gradually cool your vehicle. This will allow the glass to adjust more slowly to temperature changes and ease the stress on its structures – hopefully helping prevent stress cracks from expanding into full-blown windshield damage! Additionally, wash your car using warm water as this will also prevent thermal shock.
7. Check Your Windshield Wipers
Your windshield wipers are an integral component of car visibility. No matter if it’s rain or snow outside, your wiper blades provide clear vision when driving in challenging weather.
Summer heat can speed up their breakdown and render them ineffective over time – potentially leading to streaked or uneven wiping and potentially leaving streaked marks behind.
To avoid this scenario, spray a small amount of silicone lubricant onto the plastic portion of your wiper arm and any hinges along its length to lubricate and prevent snapping down and damaging the windshield. Furthermore, be sure to regularly replace your blades for the best performance in the monsoon season.
8. Check Your Windshield
Most people mistakenly believe that pebbles, dust, and other road debris pose the greatest threats to their car windshields; however, hot temperatures can also damage it as laminated safety glass must be heated specifically so it bonds with metal parts in your frame and provides structural integrity.
Unexpected temperature shifts can widen existing cracks and chips substantially. Glass expands when heated, contracting when cold, making it more prone to damage and making your windshields more vulnerable. Therefore, you must regularly inspect and take preventive steps with your windshields; for that purpose here are a few suggestions:
