How to Protect Your Car in the Summer Heat
Summers in Charleston are always a great time but the sun and heat can be damaging to your car. Fortunately a little preventative maintenance can go a long way. We’ve compiled a list of tips to keep your car running safely through the coming months:
Interior Tips
Park in the shade. It is the easiest form of protection. By avoiding direct sunlight, you’ll help keep your dash from drying and cracking. If it is safe to do so, open the windows a crack to help lower the interior temperature and equalize the air pressure.
Wipe down your dashboard. Dust and dirt can cause tiny scratches that can become worse over time. Wipe down the dash frequently with a microfiber cloth to remove all particles. A low-gloss detailing product will also protect it and reduce glare.
Protect leather seats with a conditioner. The sun and heat can really do a number on them. To help avoid cracks or tears, keep seats clean, and apply leather conditioner often.
Exterior Tips
Wash and dry often. Sun and heat can fade and crack the paint. Frequent washing and hand drying help remove dirt and dust particles that can cause micro scratches and dull your car’s finish.
Wax On. A layer of wax between your car’s finish and the sun’s ultraviolet rays is a great way to help protect it.
Check tire pressure. Hot pavement and underinflated tires can be a dangerous combination, and may lead to a blowout. Even good tires can lose about one pound of air pressure a month, so it’s really important to check often when it’s hot. Make sure you follow your vehicle’s manufacturer recommended tire pressure.
Under the Hood
Cooling system. In order to help protect your engine from overheating, make sure it is in good working order. Have the belts checked and antifreeze/coolant drained, then replaced on a regular basis as recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer.
The rest of the fluids. The possibility of overheating greatly increases when fluid levels are below recommended levels. Regularly check motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. If any need to be topped off, check your owner’s manual about the types of fluids recommended.
Battery. High temperatures and high accessory loads (use of the vehicles air conditioning) can cause it to wear out and fail quicker. Have the vehicle’s battery and complete charging system checked regularly by a professional mechanic to make sure it’s functioning properly.
