We understand the importance of regular maintenance on your vehicle to keep it running smoothly, but have you considered the additional strain that the changes of seasons might add to the mix? This is why we recommend adding some additional items to your checklist as the temperature rises. Specifically, heat has an impact on fluids, oils, and air that your car needs to function properly.
Engine Oil
First and foremost, your engine runs on oil, and oil becomes less viscous when exposed to extreme heat. This is a problem because it causes additional friction and can cause strain on your engine. In worst cases, this can result in damage or even engine failure and we don’t want that! Our recommendation to avoid this is to top off your engine fully and to use a slightly thicker oil than usual to keep your engine lubricated.
Battery
Second, your car’s battery can also be adversely affected by heat. Batteries typically last around 3-5 years, but that can be cut short if the connections are compromised or the electrical system experiences issues. When it’s hot outside, fluid inside your battery may expand, increasing pressure and leaking out. Our mechanics can check for this leakage before it causes corrosion around the battery and destroys it. We will also check the voltage to give you an idea of how it is operating or if you need a new battery. You don’t want to find yourself with a dead battery on a hot day, so come see us at Sunny’s Automotive today!
Tires
Lastly, high temperatures can cause the air in your tires to expand. This change can cause wear and tear on your tires, because if they become overinflated they become weaker. Heat on the asphalt can also melt the rubber on the outside of your tire, wearing on the tread. These two things can lead to a dangerous blowout on the road. A simple preventative measure for this is to simply get your tire pressure checked regularly, either by us or at gas stations. It may even be a good idea to carry around a tire pressure gauge in the summer to stay on top of it. In any case, we can take a look at the conditions of your tires and not only help you get the most out of them, but also keep you safe which is our top priority.