Maintaining a Car in Hot Weather

More often than not, when people read about weather having an impact on their car, it has to do with winter weather. While cold temperatures certainly do wreak havoc on cars, hot weather can also cause issues.

 

Living in warm temperatures is a dream for a lot of people. Not having to worry about ice and snow or bundling up in multiple layers to go outside makes life simple. Sure, they may have to deal with super-hot days where it’s possible to cook an egg on the sidewalk, but they’ll take that over dealing with the possibility of turning into a human popsicle.

 

While some people have learned to thrive in the heat, their certified used Nissan in San Jose may still have days that it struggles. To ensure that the car is being properly maintained in hot weather, below are some things to consider.

1. Keep the Engine Cool

One of the biggest contributors to car issues is an overheated engine. Most cars, including a new Nissan in San Jose, come equipped with engine cooling systems to ensure that the engine stays at an optimum temperature. However, if they aren’t flushed on a regular basis, this can lead to problems.

 

Knowing when to flush the vehicle’s cooling system will depend on the make and model, as well as age. Consulting the owner’s manual or talking to a professional at Nissan service in San Jose will let a person know when they should bring their car in for this maintenance step.

 

Between flushes, to keep an engine from overheating, it’s important to check the coolant levels. It should be filled to the proper level, and there is generally a mark on the container to let a person know how much fluid should be in there. If it’s low, it’s important to add more to keep the engine from getting too hot.

 

It’s advised that a person should never remove a radiator cap if the engine is hot or has overheated. Coolant can boil and is under a lot of pressure. Removing the cap could cause steam or hot liquid to shoot out of the container and get into a person’s eyes or on their skin, causing harm. Wait until the engine has cooled down to open the radiator cap or call a professional for help.

 

In addition to ensuring that the fluid levels are where they are supposed to be, it’s also important to check the hoses and belts within the engine. Rubber is incredibly susceptible to heat and may deteriorate in high temperatures. If there are any soft spots or cracks, get the vehicle to a professional to have them replaced.

2. Check All Fluid Levels

While coolant is an important part of keeping the engine from overheating, there are other fluids in the car that are just as important and need to be at the proper level. These include oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid.

 

Having enough oil and ensuring that it’s clean is important and keeps the engine running optimally. Oil lubricates the moving parts within the engine and reduces friction. Without this essential component, the engine could be prone to seizing, which would require a whole new engine, and this can be incredibly expensive.

 

If the oil is low or incredibly dirty, even if the engine doesn’t seize, it could still cause it to overheat. Getting this fluid changed every so often and keeping it at proper levels is an important part in maintaining a vehicle in hot weather.

 

When it comes to the other fluids in a person’s car, these are just as important to ensure that the car runs properly. Without them, the car will not shift smoothly and the driver may not be able to control and handle the car in a safe manner. If there isn’t enough brake fluid, this could make it difficult for the driver to stop—and that could cause an accident.

 

Having all fluid levels checked and changed every so often is important for the life of the vehicle. It can be incredibly important in hot weather in helping ensure that the engine doesn’t overheat and a person doesn’t get stranded on the side of the road.

3. Check the Tires

Changes in weather can have an impact on the expansion of air in a person’s tires. Too much heat can also impact how hot the tire gets when driving down the road. If it is underinflated and the road temperature is incredibly hot, this can increase the likelihood of a blowout happening.

 

To reduce this chance, make sure the tires are inflated to their proper PSI. If a person is unsure of what that is, they can check the owner’s manual, the label on the inside of the car door, or take it to a professional. Checking the pressure once a month is incredibly important because they lose air through normal seepage.

 

To get the most accurate tire pressure reading, it’s important to check the tires when they are cool. This means waiting to check them after driving down the road and either first thing in the morning when it’s not as hot outside or later in the evening after the sun has gone down.

4. Run the Air Conditioner

If the weather gets hot enough, it seems like it would be insane not to turn on the air conditioner when a person gets into their car. The vast majority of people know that if left in the sun, the interior of their car will become as hot as an oven. Running the air conditioner can reduce the discomfort this causes and keep the driver awake and alert.

 

Before turning on the air, though, it may be a good idea to help the car cool down. That way, the system doesn’t have to work so hard. This can include letting it air out by either rolling down all the windows or opening the doors to let some air flow through. If possible, a person should always try to park in the shade to help keep their car cool. If that won’t work, then using car shades can be beneficial.

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