Mercury Rising (Hot Weather Vehicle Concerns)
August 11, 2025
The heat is on, and your vehicle takes a beating when it is. Several of your vehicle's systems are under extra stress in hot weather, so here are a few to make sure are getting the care and maintenance they need.
It makes sense that the cooling system is one to make sure is in top shape. Vehicle breakdowns in summer are often due to a problem with one of the cooling system's components. Coolant levels have to be up to specs, the ratio of coolant to water must be correct and the hoses, pumps, belts and radiator must all be working properly in order to prevent vehicle overheating.
Summer is also hard on your air conditioning system. You might find that no air is blowing out of the vents or maybe only hot air is coming out. Air conditioning equipment is best diagnosed and repaired by a trained and experienced technician. The problem could be in any number of components, including the condenser, compressor or blower motor.
You may think the battery gets a break in the summer, but heat will shorten the life of your battery more quickly than cold. Your service facility can analyze the condition of your battery and tell you whether it's healthy or needs replacing.
Tires take a beating in heat, too. Pavement can be scorching hot, and the sun's rays break down the rubber. Watch inflation pressure in hot weather, too, since air expands the hotter it gets. Your technician can check air pressure, tread depth, cupping and other uneven wear and diagnose the source of any problems.
And don't forget brakes. One video online says brakes on a car that were driven hard on a track reached temperatures as high as 500°C/932°F. Heat can reduce stopping power. A technician should periodically inspect pads, rotors, drums, lines and other components to find a problem before you lose the ability to stop.
Finally, engine oil is really put to the test when it gets hot. Your vehicle service facility will make sure you have enough oil and the proper kind to keep your engine's components properly lubricated. Help your vehicle beat the heat.
Blair's Ferry Automotive
1565 Blairs Ferry Rd.
Marion, Iowa 52302
319-447-6310
http://www.blairsferryautomotive.com
Need Service?
More articles from Blairs Ferry Automotive
Emergency! (Vehicle Emergency items)
August 4, 2025
"I never expected it could happen to me." Countless drivers have said that after they've had an emergency turn their lives upside down. So before that happens to you, let's thinking about planning ahead for an emergency with a few things you should keep in your vehicle. Road flares. If you've ev... More
Flat Tire? Three?s the Charm (Tire Repair)
July 28, 2025
For most drivers, at some point youre going to have a flat tire. Depending on how it was damaged, it may have to be replaced. But sometimes, a repair will do the trick, as long as the puncture isnt on the sidewall and the hole is smaller than inch/6.35mm in diameter. Here are the three common w... More
Differential Service
July 21, 2025
When you're driving and turn a corner, you probably aren't aware of all that's going on with your wheels. The outside wheels have a longer distance to travel than the inside wheels, so there are gears that allow the wheels to go at different speeds when you turn. That set of gears is called a d... More