Keys to Take Care of your Car in Summer
In the summer the car is usually used more for traveling or taking an excursion. The heat affects negatively to the performance of the engine and it loses power. It can be a simple scare but also end in a major breakdown. Last summer no less than 1.3 million vehicles required roadside assistance, an average of 14,100 vehicles per day. Most of the breakdowns, 35% will be from the air conditioning or air conditioning system. But there are other parts of the car sensitive to high temperatures. In order to know how to protect the car from the sun and heat, we have prepared a series of tips for caring for the car and for the correct operation of the air conditioning during the summer months:
Engine Temperature:
The gauge is usually on the dash, next to the fuel gauge - some modern cars have dispensed with it. In cold, it will be in the lowest position, but after 5-10 minutes it should reach the optimum temperature (about 90 degrees ). Watch that it never reaches the red zone if you don't want to burn the engine. If it does, check out our tips for lowering the engine temperature. An emergency solution is to put the car's heating as high as possible, since this way you release heat from the engine and avoid a greater evil.
Tires:
In summer the tires reach a higher temperature, especially when driving fast. If we bring the pressure too low, the tread will get even hotter, something that will shorten its life by up to 15%. Therefore, among our tips to get the car ready before taking a trip, we recommend checking the tire pressure. Tires are susceptible to problems as a direct consequence of high asphalt temperatures. In 2012 there were around 150,000 punctures during the summer months.
Brakes:
To stop the car, the brake pads rub against the disc. This generates heat and in summer the temperatures they reach are even higher. In addition, due to the external heat, its cooling is more difficult. These circumstances make it easier for the brakes to overheat. The car brakes much less and the life of the brake fluid is shortened and the discs can deform. For good brake maintenance, on long descents, use short gears to apply less pressure to the brakes and avoid aggressive driving.
Parking Lots:
Try to park in the shade, especially in the central hours of the day. Also take into account the movements of the sun, because perhaps when you leave the car it will stay in the sun, but after a while, it will be in the shade. Always put a sun visor on the front windshield (and if you want also on the rear) and use steering wheel protectors. You will avoid those "terrible times" of driving again and burning your hands, which will increase your safety. Here we tell you more tricks to protect your car from the sun.
Cleaning:
Wash the car regularly. We have explained in detail how to do it right. Most foodies can use wax with UV absorber, which protects the car paint from damage caused by the sun. The leather and vinyl parts of the interior also require special cleaning so that they do not age quickly.
Air Conditioning:
The air conditioning in summer is almost essential. You can always cool the car down a bit with some homemade trick like this, but when it comes down to it, an air conditioning system in good condition is the only thing that will save you from the heat. Not long ago we reviewed the possible problems of air conditioning and its solutions. So if you see that your car is not working properly, take a look.
