Mid-Summer Maintenance: What July Heat Does to Your Vehicle

Your Vehicle Is Working Overtime, Too

July in Kansas does not gently suggest that summer has arrived. It makes the announcement with hot pavement, blazing sun and an interior temperature that can turn a forgotten crayon into modern art. While you are trying to stay cool, your vehicle is working overtime.

High temperatures can stress several systems at once. That is why mid-summer is a smart time to check your vehicle—even if it is not currently flashing a warning light or making a dramatic noise.

Heat Can Be Hard on Your Battery

Cold weather gets most of the blame for dead batteries, but summer heat can accelerate internal battery wear. A weakened battery may continue starting the vehicle until the day it suddenly does not. Slow cranking, dim lights or electrical problems can be early warnings, but sometimes there is no warning at all.

A battery and charging-system test can provide useful information before you are stranded in a parking lot holding melting groceries.

Your Cooling System Has an Important Job

Your engine produces tremendous heat even in normal conditions. The cooling system circulates coolant and helps maintain a safe operating temperature. Low coolant, a leak, worn hoses, a weak thermostat or a failing water pump can allow the engine to overheat.

Never ignore a rising temperature gauge, warning message, steam or a sweet coolant smell. Continuing to drive an overheating vehicle may cause severe engine damage. Safely stop, turn the engine off and have the vehicle inspected.

Hot Pavement Affects Tires

Tires deserve attention throughout the year, but summer travel and hot roads make proper inflation and condition especially important. Check for low pressure, uneven wear, cracking, bulges and insufficient tread. Tire pressure should be checked when the tires are cold and adjusted to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation—not simply the maximum number printed on the tire.

A/C Problems Rarely Improve on Their Own

If your air conditioning is not cooling like it used to, do not wait until the next long trip. Low refrigerant may indicate a leak, and weak airflow can have several causes. Proper testing helps identify what the system actually needs instead of repeatedly adding refrigerant and hoping for the best.

Give Your Vehicle a Mid-Summer Check

Preventive maintenance will not make July cooler, but it can make summer driving far less stressful. Moxie Auto Care & Glass Repair can inspect your battery, tires, brakes, fluids, cooling system and A/C to help you catch concerns before they become roadside problems.