Are you already in the process of planning your summer vacation on the open highways? If so, then make sure that you are prepping your vehicle for the big holiday road trip. Before you load up the “family truckster”, read on about the more common summer highways break downs, and how to proactively get your vehicle ready for the long haul so you can stay safe while enjoying your relaxing adventures.
No driver can be guaranteed that their vehicle will not break down on a long road trip. Although, proactive maintenance can lower the risk of getting stuck on the side of the road in blazing heat. If you are like many drivers today, you may have stayed off the roads during the winter months, and so getting it serviced as a “spring cleaning” task is a good way to get it in shape for the summer months.
There are three common summer road break downs that might occur with vehicle neglect:
- Overheating
- Tire Pressure
- Motor Oil
Overheating
If you have ever noticed after you drive your vehicle in the hotter months, the engine takes a little bit longer to cool down. The combination of the hot sun and high temperatures means that your vehicle is working harder to regulate its temperature.
Coolant is especially important in helping keep your engine parts cooled and protected from high temperatures. Make sure to check the coolant level, and to add coolant according to your owner’s manual specifications. While checking coolant, make sure it’s not dark or dirty, which signals a coolant replacement. Typically, coolant should be replaced every 30,000-50,000 miles driven.
If you notice that coolant is continuously going below the proper level, this may signal a leak in a hose or somewhere within the radiator. You may notice pools of coolant below the vehicle too. If this is the case, have your vehicle inspected by a service professional like the ones at Geller’s Automotive. We can help locate a possible leak in the cooling system and make necessary repairs.
While getting your coolant checked, make sure to discuss any concerns about your air conditioning system. The AC is an important component of your cooling system that you want to keep running smoothly in summer months!
Tire Pressure
Depending on your tire manufacturer, there may be different tire pressure guidelines during winter versus summer months. This is because the air pressure inside the tire will increase in hotter conditions, therefore, the manufacturer may recommend a lower pressure for the summer months. If your tires are already overinflated in the warmer weather, and expand due to heat, this may cause a blowout. On the other hand, if your tires are underinflated in hotter temperatures, it may cause more damage to the tire because of the additional friction and resistance with the hot road surface.
When checking tire pressure, check them when they are hot from driving. This will give you a more accurate read of the pressure. Always follow the manufacturers recommended tire pressure, which may be found in your vehicle owner’s manual, or possibly on a door sticker. If you purchased tires that are not the original ones, then locate them online to determine the proper pressure.
Motor Oil
It goes without saying that your vehicle’s motor oil is one of the most important maintenance items for ongoing vehicle health. This is especially true in the summer months because when oil gets hotter, it loses some of its viscosity. Oil is designed to adapt to changing temperatures, but when it is less viscous, motor oil is thinner. This may prevent it from effectively protecting and lubricating vital engine parts.
Check your oil levels frequently, and if you cannot remember when it was last changed, get it done. The cost of a quick oil change outweighs any serious damage you can do to your engine in hot temperatures. When getting an oil change, speak with your service professional about switching to a synthetic oil. Synthetic oil has shown more resiliency to changing temperatures and is more likely to maintain its viscosity in hot weather.
As you are planning out the details of your upcoming road trip, don’t forget to have your vehicle checked for the above items, as well as any other important systems like your brakes, battery, or transmission. A little bit of planning can go a long way and keep the stress level down this summer.
If you would like to have your vehicle checked over in preparation for summer travel, give the service professionals at Geller’s Automotive a call to schedule an appointment today.
