Flickr user Rafael Marquez
Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, traditional summer is in full swing. We at On Time Logistics manage a fleet of vehicles and know just how important it is to take care of vehicles during the hot summer months.
Here are what we consider the top three parts of your car that need to be checked for the summer:
- Tires
- Electric system
- Cooling system.
Tire treads and air pressure
Underinflated tires can be a danger any time of the year, but the heat makes underinflated tires even more likely to blow when driving, especially as they are on the hot asphalt. We encourage you to check the tire condition and inflation pressure at least monthly. With all the construction going on in Northwest Arkansas, it is wise to check more frequently for nails and other small items that might impale and damage your tire. Another tip: summer heat will increase the pressure so it’s important to check the air pressure when the tires are cold.
Electric system
Excessive heat and overcharging will shorten the life of your vehicle’s battery. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, which then damages the battery’s internal structure. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate, which will eventually destroy a battery. This will also lead to damaging the alternator, which can be an expensive repair in some models.
We recommend keeping the battery clean (dirt can be a conductor, which drains the battery) and making sure it is charging properly.
Cooling system
Don’t wait until your car overheats to think about the cooling system! By then, you may have caused damage that is difficult and expensive to repair. The cooling system works all year long but it is taxed even more during the summer months because it has to work extra hard to keep the engine cool.
We urge you to change the coolant annually for most vehicles and maintain the coolant vs distilled water mixture at a 50/50 ratio. Also make sure the hoses and connections are checked for cracks or other damage.
Bonus: ticks
Yes, we said ticks! You may have noticed that our warmer than normal winter in Northwest Arkansas has led to the tick population to stay in high gear this spring and summer. Ticks can easily get in your car then move to you or your family members (including pets). There are several methods to getting rid of the ticks in your car from a pesticide bomb to even spraying sheets with tick repellent and covering the car seats with the sheets and parking the car in the heat, which should kill the ticks. We simply want to make you aware of this issue and advise you to research the safest and most appropriate tick removal method for your family’s needs.
We hope you have a great and safe summer!