You need extra car care in hot weather. It’s important to keep up the regular maintenance on a vehicle under normal circumstances, but when it’s hot or cold you need to insure that all the fluids are full, that you drive within the posted speed limits, as you can cause more wear and tear in hot weather.
In the morning when its still relatively cool, you should check your oil, coolant, wiper fluid, brake fluid, and tire pressures. You only check your transmission fluid (if the car is older) and the power steering fluid so that you get the correct reading.
You should always make sure you have at least a half tank of gas when travelling. You could end up in traffic which can burn more fuel sitting at idle or moving slowly with or without the A/C on.
The oil and the coolant are very important during times of extreme heat. The car runs hot on it’s own when it’s generating power and the oil and coolant helps to keep the wear (friction) down to a minimum.
Each car is different. You should always check the owner’s manual before just putting in any old fluid for it.
For example…
My 1999 Volvo V70 wagon takes a blue coolant. I wasn’t sure where to get it or how much it was until I called the service center at the dealership. We talked and I explained how the book says this… but I don’t know where to obtain it or how much it was.
The nice person I spoke with said that I could also use the glycol which is the old green stuff because it’s the same thing only its green and not blue. If I buy the blue one from the dealer it’s like $30 a gallon. Buying it in the store, more like $15 dollars.
Also, if you have a vent setting on your car, you should use it. It helps the hot air escape. It can keep your windows from blowing out. You can invest in a windshield cover and/or a steering wheel cover. It will also help keep it cooler.
If you have a vehicle without an owner’s manual, then you can download one for free. You can search for yours –> Click Here. That is your car’s bible. It tells you all you want or need to know in it. 95% of all car owners NEVER read the owner’s manual.
I would like to hear from you, so please leave a question or comment below!
