How To Prepare Your Car For Summer Heat

INTRODUCTION

Summer is one of the most demanding seasons for your vehicle. Rising temperatures put extra stress on almost every system in your car — from your engine coolant to your tires, battery and air conditioning. The good news is that most summer car problems are completely preventable with a simple pre-season checkup.

In this guide our lead mechanic Marcus Williams walks you through everything you need to check, service and prepare before the heat hits — so you can drive through summer with total confidence.

1. CHECK YOUR COOLANT SYSTEM

Why It Matters: Your engine produces a tremendous amount of heat. In summer that heat is amplified by the outside temperature, making your coolant system work harder than ever. A low or degraded coolant level is one of the leading causes of engine overheating in summer.

What To Check: Coolant level in the overflow reservoir, it should be between the MIN and MAX markers, Coolant color fresh coolant is bright green, orange or pink. If it looks brown or rusty it needs flushing, Coolant hoses squeeze them gently. They should feel firm but flexible. Cracked or soft hoses need replacing, Radiator cap a faulty cap cannot maintain the correct pressure, causing the system to boil over

Our Recommendation:

Have your coolant flushed and replaced every 2 years or 30,000 miles. If you cannot remember the last time it was done it is time.

SERVICE YOUR AIR CONDITIONING

Why It Matters: Your AC works hardest in summer. If it has not been serviced recently it is likely low on refrigerant, which means it will struggle to keep the cabin cool and put extra strain on the compressor.

What To Check: Turn your AC on full and check how cold the air coming from the vents actually is, Listen for any unusual noises when the AC compressor engages, Check for any musty or unusual smells from the vents Notice if the AC takes a long time to cool the cabin down

What We Do: We perform a full AC diagnosis including pressure testing, leak detection and refrigerant recharge. A properly charged AC system can make a dramatic difference in cabin temperature especially on very hot days.

Our Recommendation: Have your AC serviced every 2 years. If it was working last summer but feels weaker this year it almost certainly needs a recharge.

INSPECT YOUR TYRES

Why It Matters: Hot roads and high temperatures increase tire pressure and accelerate tire wear. An underinflated or worn tire is significantly more likely to blow out in summer heat especially on long highway drives.

What To Check: Tyre pressure check when the tires are cold, first thing in the morning. Use the pressure recommended in your door jamb sticker, not the maximum on the tire sidewall Tyre tread depth insert a penny into the tread groove. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head your tires are dangerously worn and need replacing Tyre sidewalls look for cracks, bulges or any signs of damage Spare tyre check its pressure too. A flat spare is useless in an emergency

Our Recommendation: Check your tire pressure at least once a month in summer as heat causes pressure to rise and fall more dramatically than in winter.