Your car may find it challenging to deal with warm summer temperatures. The tires can expand, and your cooling system tends to work harder. The harsh sunlight can expedite the wear and tear of drive belts and hoses. However, with the correct preparations, you can reduce the damage summer brings to your vehicle. Learn how to prepare your old car for the summer and the St. Louis heat.
Is Your Car Ready For A Road Trip In Missouri?
A road trip during the summer is one of the most anticipated activities by many people because it means you get to enjoy the much-deserved break. If you can take a vacation from your daily routine or job, you will find that the open road is an excellent stress reliever. However, if you have an old car, you may worry if it can last the whole drive without putting much stress on you.
Generally, many vehicles, even old ones, are fit for road trips. If it is in excellent running condition, you should have no issue driving it for long trips. However, if you always bring it to your mechanic or replace several parts, you may have to reconsider using it for your travel.
Is Your Car Too Old For A Road Trip?
You are confident when you take your vintage car on a long trip. Although vehicles at least 20 years old are still on the road, your primary consideration must be your car’s regular maintenance. If you properly maintain it, you should not have issues with taking it on a road trip.
You should also consider your car’s mileage because it is an indicator if it needs repairs immediately. You can determine the lifespan of your engine and transmission through the mileage. Moreover, the schedule of replacement of the timing belt and water pump depends on the mileage intervals.
If you wish to take your high mileage car on a road trip, you must ensure that you bring it to recommended repairs and services to ensure that it will not give up on you during your vacation.
Car Care Checklist
Remove Winter Tires And Check Air Pressure
Retiring your snow tires during the summer months is a must because they are not necessary. They will wear out faster if you use them on dry and warm roads.
You should use the all-season or summer tires and check their air pressure. Ideally, you must have two sets of wheels: one for winter and another one for summer. This practice will allow you to avoid the additional expense and hassle of remounting and balancing your summer tires.
You can check for gouges, sidewall bulges, or cuts on all tires. It may be time to replace old tires if the tire tread is not deep enough. Usually, you use the penny test in checking the tire tread. You do not have to replace the tires if you do not see the top of George Washington’s head.
Check The Air Conditioner System
Since you do not use your air conditioner during the winter, you must check if it is still blowing cool air. Moreover, you have to listen if it is producing strange noises or emitting foul odors.
You may ask your mechanic to inspect it for leaks too. You can test drive your car with the air conditioner running to check if there is a reduction in cooling capacity. You may need to replace the cabin filter if necessary.
Inspect The Wiper Blades And Wiper Fluid
Chances are, you always used the wiper fluid to de-ice the windshield. You can top off the wiper fluid reservoir if necessary. Some car owners use a solution to clear the glass of bugs.
If the rubber becomes dry, you may opt to replace them. You can buy fresh washer fluid and run the wipers to check it will streak the windshield. If it does not clear the windscreen thoroughly, replacing the blades is your best bet.
Check Hoses And Belts
Reinforced rubber drive belts help your air conditioning compressor and alternator, so you must replace them after every 60,000 miles. You can also change your radiator hoses if they become brittle or very soft. Check for leaks at the water pump, radiator, and around the hose clamps.
Inspect Under The Hood
If you did not open the hood during the winter, you must check it now but ensure that the engine is not hot before you do so. An assignment writing service prepared this checklist:
Battery
You can clean corrosion on the battery terminals with a toothbrush and baking soda. However, you must recheck them after a few weeks to ensure that corrosion has not recurred. Many batteries are now maintenance-free, which means you do not have to top it off with water.
You may also check the cable connections for tightness and cleanliness and the security of the hold-down hardware. You may bring your car to a service professional to learn about its remaining capacity.
Oil
Conventional wisdom dictates that car owners change to light oil during the winter and heavier oil in the summer. However, this belief no longer applies to modern cars built for the last 15 years. You can read your car’s manual for the kind of oil your vehicle needs. You may opt to bring your vehicle for the change oil service.
Coolant
Aussiessay reminds you that the coolant in its reservoir must not be cloudy. You may top it off with pre-diluted mixtures if needed.
Brake Fluid
The brake fluid level often drops to match the wear on the pads. However, a low level can also mean leakage in the brake system; thus, you must top it off immediately. You can take your car to your dealer or mechanic to check the brakes if you feel a vibration or a grinding sound when you apply them.
Wax The Car
Melted snow has grime and road salt that can damage your car’s undercarriage, paint, and clear coat. Summer is the appropriate time to bring your vehicle for detailing. You may wash it on a sunny weekend, but you can get detail if you bring it to your favorite car wash.
Restock Emergency Kit Supplies
You should keep a well-stocked emergency kit inside your car. You may include first-aid supplies, non-perishable snacks for pets and people, drinking water, a flashlight with extra batteries, reflectors or emergency flares, an essential tool kit, car battery booster cables, a rain poncho, rags or paper towels, gloves, and duct tape.
Plan For Vehicle Maintenance
If you are going to go on long-distance travel, you must bring your car to your trusted technician and auto repair shop for vehicle maintenance before your scheduled trip.
Final Thoughts
An old car is no reason for you not to take your planned road trip with friends and family. However, you must ensure that it is in tip-top shape by checking the tires, the air conditioner system, the wiper blades, hoses, belts, battery, coolant, oil, and brake fluid. Lastly, you must wax your car and restock your emergency kit before your trip!
About the author:
Tiffany Harper is a journalist and an experienced writer from New York, USA. The range of her interests is wide: education, career, technologies, cv writers. You can find Tiffany on LinkedIn if she is not doing another research for a UK assignment writing service.
Prepare Your Car For Summer FAQs
How Can I Protect My Car From Summer Weather?
1. Park in the shade. It is the easiest form of protection. 2. Use a windshield sun protector. It's a way to keep your car cool and prevent sun damage. 3. Wipe dash with a microfiber cloth. 4. Install seat covers. 5. Protect leather seats with a conditioner..
Does Waxing Your Car Protect It From The Sun?
If you really want your car to shine, there's nothing better than a bath and hand drying followed by a luxurious coat of wax. Waxing is the critical final step to prevent sun damage to car paint from ultraviolet radiation and help stop pollution, grit and dirt from adhering to the finish and causing pitting.
Should You Cover Your Car Outside?
Do I need to use a car cover? Definitely. Prolonged sun exposure will damage your vehicle's paint, seats and dash more than virtually any other element. In order to preserve the value and condition of your vehicle, it is critical to use a car cover.
Does Leaving A Car Outside Damage It?
When you park outside, you run a higher risk of vehicle body damage during extreme weather events. From golf ball-sized hail to falling trees, leaving your car streetside poses a greater risk to the vehicle's body. Exposure to heat and sunlight can wear down the dashboard, steering wheel, and upholstery in your car.
How Often Should You Let Your Car Rest On A Road Trip?
Two Hours. Take regular breaks along the way to stay fresh and alert, stopping roughly every 100 miles or two hours.
