St. Louis, Mo. — What's the first thing you do when you start your car in the summer heat? Chances are, cranking up the air conditioning is high-priority. But did you know the hot temperatures can be brutal on your vehicle? Pat Hamill, a mechanic with St. Louis Auto, shared some tips and pointers for keeping your ride running smoothly this summer.
AIR CONDITIONING: It's the number one thing people want checked out in the summer, according to Hamill, when they realize the cool air isn't quite cool enough. He says sometimes it can be fixed with something as simple as an O-ring seal, but other times it means a new compressor. Using sun-shields or finding a spot in the in the shade can drastically reduce the temps inside your car, and strain on your A/C, when you're pulling out of park.
TIRE PRESSURE: Hamill says the tire pressure can change up to 1 PSI per 10 degree temperature variation--and the difference between your garage and the hot highway is much more than that. Regularly checking that the tire pressure is at the recommended PSI can ensure fluctuation stays within that range, which is better on the ride and gas mileage.
FLUIDS: When the car is hot, it works harder. That means it guzzles fluids down more quickly, so Hamill recommends keeping an eye on those levels--especially checking before any planned trips.
BATTERIES: Even though it's a problem you likely associate with winter, Hamill says they replace a lot more batteries when the temps are higher than 90 degrees--especially the ones that are 3 or more years old. Keep jumper cables handy, even in the summer.
