When summer hits and the temperatures are unbearable, it’s important to be aware of how the summer weather can affect your vehicle.
When the sun is beating down, and the humidity is high, you need to take steps to protect your car against damage.
Some of the most important things to know are the signs of an overheated engine and how to prevent it from happening.
We’ll also share some expert tips on saving money while driving in the summer heat.
How to Tell if Your Vehicle Is Overheating
You can look out for a few signs that indicate your vehicle is overheating. If you see any of the following, pull over and turn off your engine as soon as it is safe to do so:
- The temperature gauge on your dash is in the red zone.
- You see steam or smoke coming from under the hood.
- Your engine starts making strange noises.
If you experience any of these signs, it’s important to turn off your engine immediately and call for help.
Continuing to drive with an overheated engine can cause severe damage that will be expensive to repair.
How to Prevent Your Vehicle From Overheating
Fortunately, you can do a few things to help prevent your vehicle from overheating and beat the heat.
- Ensure you keep an eye on the temperature gaugeon your dash and pull over if it starts to get into the red zone. While many vehicles have the technology to help them keep running for a long time, it’s still good to manually observe heating conditions.
- Always keep your coolant level topped offso that your engine has enough fluid to circulate. You should also check your coolant level regularly to make sure there are no leaks.
- Get your vehicle serviced regularlyso that any potential problems can be fixed before they cause your engine to overheat. Follow the tips for car engine maintenance to avoid inconvenience.
If you abide by those simple tips, you can help keep your vehicle from overheating and help it to endure the summer, no matter how hot.
Hot Temperatures vs. Your Tires
Checking your tires may not be the most exciting way to spend a Saturday afternoon, but it’s one of the most important.
After all, your tires are the only part of your car that touches the road, so it’s important to ensure they are in good condition.
The impact of the hot summer sun on your tires may not be something you think about daily, but it’s important to be aware of it nonetheless.
How the Heat Damages Your Tires
The heat can cause your tires to lose their tread depth and inflation levels, which can lead to decreased performance and increased wear and tear.
It’s important to check your tires regularly during the summer months to ensure they are in good condition to avoid tire blowouts.
If you notice any decrease in tread depth or inflation levels, be sure to have your tires serviced by a professional. Taking the time to check your tires will help them withstand the rigors of summer driving.
Summer Rainstorms Could Mean Damage From Above
Summer rainstorms can be a pain, but they don’t have to ruin your day. However, if you’re not careful, they could cause some serious damage to your vehicle.
One of the biggest dangers of summer rainstorms is hail damage. Hailstones can range in size from small pebbles to softball-sized projectiles, and they can cause a lot of damage to your car.
If you live in an area that is prone to summer rainstorms, it’s important to take steps to protect your vehicle.
- Try to park in a covered or enclosed area whenever possible. If you must park outside, consider investing in a hail-resistant car cover.
- If you know a storm is coming, cover your car with a tarp or blanketsto help protect it from hail damage.
- Never underestimate the damage driving through deep water can do. Even a few inches of floodwater can cause significant damage to a vehicle, and driving through deep water is one of the quickest ways to ruin your ride.
If your vehicle encounters high waters or flood conditions, the force of the water can damage the engine, electrical components, and transmission, and it only takes a small amount of water to cause problems.
In addition, deep water can create dangerous conditions for drivers, making it difficult to see and control the car. For these reasons, it’s always best to avoid driving through deep waters, even if it means taking a longer route.
The last thing you want is to end up stranded on the side of the road with a damaged car.
Can sunlight damage your car’s interior?
You might not realize it, but the sun’s rays can do a lot of damage to your car’s interior.
Anyone who has ever left things like clothing or furniture in the sun for too long knows that UV rays can cause fading. The same is true for your car’s upholstery and dashboard.
Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause the color to fade and the fabric to crack. The UV rays can also damage plastic components, causing them to become brittle and eventually break.
In extreme cases, the dashboard may even warp. To help protect your car’s interior, park in a garage or covered parking area whenever possible.
How to Prevent Sun Damage
If you must park in direct sunlight, use a UV-resistant windshield shade to help deflect some of the harmful rays.
To help protect your car’s interior from the sun’s damaging rays, invest in a sunshade for the windshield. This will help keep the interior cooler and prevent the upholstery from fading.
You can also buy seat and dashboard covers that are specifically designed to protect against UV damage. These small additions to your car can help keep its interior looking new for years to come.
Take Extra Care of Your Vehicle in the Summer
The summer sun can be tough on your car, but with a little bit of care, you can help keep it running smoothly all season long.
Be sure to check your tires regularly and take steps to protect your car from hail damage and flooding.
And don’t forget to shield the interior from the sun’s harmful UV rays. By following these simple tips, you’ll help ensure your car stays in great condition all summer long.
Luke Williams writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, AutoInsurance.org. His passions include insurance and strategies for year-round vehicle upkeep.
