While the summer months can be filled with sunshine and plenty of outdoor activities, they can also bring excessive heat and humidity. In the same way that heat can drain you of energy, the sun and its rays can also do a number on your car.
When the weather is hot and humid, proper car maintenance is of paramount importance. The last thing you want is for your car to break down and leave you stranded on the side of the road. You should be able to avoid that with some of these tips for car care in the summer in Madison, TN.
Clean your car
In addition to its aesthetic benefits, washing your car by hand or by running it through a machine wash can help to combat harmful heat and ultraviolet rays from the sun better than a dirty car would. Cleaning your car as frequently as possible would be a wise practice.
Use shade as much as you can
If you do choose to wash your car yourself by hand, try to do it in the evening or under shade if possible. This is because the heat from the sun may cause water droplets to dry up prematurely, leaving streaks and spots, as well as heating up the soap you’re using, which can damage your car.
In addition to washing your car in the shade, whenever your car is parked and not in use, you should try to store it in the shade. This can not only save the car’s exterior, tires, windshield wipers and paint job, but it can prevent the interior of your car from becoming excessively hot.
If you don’t have access to shade in the form of a garage or trees, a portable cover or sunshade would work as well.
Check and top off your oil and fluids
Extreme heat can cause problems for your engine. Because it’s a mechanism that operates using fluids, high temperatures can cause some of these fluids to boil or evaporate, and left unchecked, this can lead to engine troubles.
So, when it’s hot and humid in Madison, TN, one essential car maintenance tip is to check your fluid levels, specifically the oil, transmission fluid and coolant. Make sure you change your oil as often as the owner’s manual advises (maybe more if you’ve driven extra miles for a summer road trip), and make sure your coolant level is at or near the line indicating it’s full.
Maintain your AC
One crucial car care tip for summer is to have your air conditioning checked at the beginning of the season by a mechanic to ensure it’s in good working order. In addition, try not to overuse it. When you do use your AC, if you live in a humid area, set the air to “recirculate,” as doing so minimizes the use of moist air from outside your car, allowing the system to function better.
Call for a tune-up today
Knowing some basic car care tips for the summer in Madison, TN can go a long way towards maintaining your car. It wouldn’t hurt to have your car serviced before the summer begins if you plan on using it a lot this season, so give Madison Muffler & Auto Repair a call to schedule a service appointment. We’re car care experts who have been at it for over 50 years, and we want to help you get where you’re going safely this summer!