Beat the Heat—Prepare Your Car for Summer!

As summer heat and humidity reach their peak, you will want to protect your vehicle. The good news is that you can avoid costly repairs—we'll show you how with this checklist.

Check the fluids

Yes, you want to make sure that your vehicle has all the fluids it needs to beat the heat. Keeping an eye on the coolant level is a much better alternative to being stranded on the side of the road with an overheated engine.

There are six fluids that you want to keep an eye on. These are oil, coolant, power steering, brake, transmission and windshield washer fluid. Make sure each reservoir is filled.

Battery 

High temperatures also take a toll on your battery. Spare yourself the roadside frustration. Make sure to get your battery checked before you head out on a trip. 

Keep your cool

When you turn on the air conditioning, do you smell any odd odors or hear any strange sounds? If so, you may want to have your A/C system inspected.

Air conditioning isn’t just for extra comfort. For some people, it can be a necessity to deal with the extremes of temperature, especially if you'll travel with an elderly person or someone in poor health. If you’re worried about fuel economy, keep your A/C at a low, steady stream of cool air. That will improve your miles per gallon and it won’t stress out your vehicle.

Tires

Harsh winters followed by extreme heat in the summer tend to result in more potholes—and that means your tires take a beating.

Check the tire pressure every month. Since high temperatures cause the pressure inside the tires to rise, check the pressure when the tires are cold. And while you’re at it, visually check the condition of the tires for extra wear and tear. Don’t forget to look at your spare tire to make sure it is in working order.

Check out these additional summer driving tips!