What Are Some Summer Car Maintenance Tips?
4 Answers
Here are some summer car maintenance tips: 1. Check tire pressure every week. Tire pressure is the most easily overlooked maintenance item, yet it is extremely important. Low tire pressure accelerates tire wear, while high tire pressure can damage tires when driving on rough roads. 2. Regularly inspect the cooling system. Ensure the engine radiator has sufficient coolant. Check for any leaks at hose connections and inspect the radiator tubes as well. Promptly visit an auto repair shop to prevent engine overheating and potential damage. 3. Always monitor the temperature gauge. The temperature gauge displays the engine coolant temperature. It has two symbols: if the pointer points to 'C,' it means the coolant temperature is at 60 degrees; if it points to 'H,' it indicates a dangerous 110 degrees. 4. Replace filters regularly. Replace the three filters: the fuel filter, oil filter, and air filter.
I've been repairing cars for twenty years, and what I fear most in summer is owners not understanding basic maintenance. If the AC isn't cooling, 80% of the time it's because the filter is clogged like felt—just take it out and tap off the dust. Never wait until the engine overheats to check the antifreeze; if the coolant level in the radiator is below the min line, top it up with the same color fluid immediately—mixing can cause clumping. Tire pressure tends to read falsely high in this weather; measure it when the car is cool in the morning for the most accurate reading. If it's over 2.5, let some air out, or else the tire surface can get hot enough to fry an egg on the highway. Older cars especially need their electrical systems checked—last week, a Bora caught fire spontaneously because the wire insulation had become brittle from engine heat and short-circuited. Be sure to switch to summer-specific windshield washer fluid; regular fluid can leave hard-to-clean white spots when it dries in the sun.
As a mom who drives kids to school every day, I pay special attention to summer driving safety. Before heading out, I always check tire temperature - if the sidewalls are too hot to touch, it means the pressure is too high. I keep a cooling spray handy; leather seats can get hot enough to fry an egg after just half an hour in the sun - a few sprays before letting the kids in makes a big difference. If you notice a musty smell from the AC, don't rush to recharge the refrigerant - first try running the fan at maximum for ten minutes to blow out the bacteria. Here's a money-saving tip: freeze water bottles and place them in cup holders - they cool faster than AC. Before rainy season, remember to remove small stones stuck in tire treads - they can reduce wet traction by up to 30%. When parking, use a sunshade on the windshield to prevent interior plastic parts from aging and cracking.
Veteran truck drivers with a decade of experience know the three major summer driving taboos: avoid long-distance trips without checking brake fluid moisture content—just press the free tester at any repair shop; avoid using worn tires in heavy rain—replace them if tread depth is below 3mm, or you'll hydroplane like skating on ice; avoid washing the car directly under high temperatures—the brake discs may warp with a sizzling sound. Once, my radiator overheated, and the emergency fix was turning the heater to max—hot but helps cool the engine. Also, sun-softened undercoating adhesive traps mud easily, so remember to rinse after driving through puddles.
