When your car has been parked in the hot sun, scalding hot seats and a warm-to-the-touch steering wheel greet you immediately. While it’s uncomfortable for you, these conditions also have an impact on your vehicle, affecting the battery, tires, fluids and paint.

Continuous exposure to direct sunlight and high temperatures can influence your car’s performance and appearance. Over the years, you may notice flaking paint, fading upholstery, overheating and cracked parts.

Taking your vehicle for a drive in this weather is equally concerning: Extreme heat strains the engine, making it work harder and increasing risk of failure. Understand how to protect your car this season.

Wash Your Car Regularly

The sun bakes debris, dead bugs, dirt and tree sap into the surface of your vehicle. Short term, the acids released cause staining, but cracks and rust start to show after a few years.

To keep the exterior looking fresh, you can’t go wrong with routine washing. Add a vehicle-specific soap to a bucket of water and go over the surface to remove as much grime as possible. Dry it with a microfiber cloth to limit water marks and brush away any remaining particles.

Get Your Car Waxed

Wax is about more than shine – it also protects against the elements. Especially if you park outside, wax creates a layer against everything that could ruin your car’s finish – UV rays and scratches included.

While at-home kits will do in a pitch, we recommend scheduling a professional wax treatment. The results last longer, providing a durable, glossy-looking shield that remains through summer and into fall.

Check the Fluids

The fluids circulating through your vehicle can evaporate from prolonged heat exposure, producing a thicker consistency. As a result, your car has to work harder to keep the oil or coolant moving. The remaining liquid also holds onto particles, which abrade and erode components as the fluid passes through. Overheating, engine failure or transmission failure can result or leaks become more frequent.

To avoid either scenario, make a habit of checking the fluids:

• Motor Oil: Dark sludge signals extreme heat degradation, indicating that the oil isn’t properly lubricating your engine. As a result, engine parts experience friction, wearing out sooner and increasing the chance you’ll wind up stranded.
• Coolant: A low level, cloudy consistency or visible debris means it’s time for replacement. Insufficient coolant prevents your car’s engine from effectively circulating and diverting heat.
• Transmission Fluid: Consider a transmission fluid flush. Without effective lubrication, the system responsible for your car’s motion functions less optimally.

Test the Battery

While cold temperatures can drain your battery, heat and humidity can strain it on a couple levels:

• Every time the air conditioner turns on, it draws a charge from your car.
• While heat alone won’t deplete the battery, extreme conditions can contribute to off-gassing. When ignored, the released substances can corrode the battery’s terminals, alter its electrolyte composition, and decrease the available charge.

Considering these factors, periodically test your battery at home and have it replaced every few years.

Monitor Tire Pressure

Rising temperatures also cause your tire pressure to rise. Rather than risk a blowout, check your tire pressure at least once a month, preferably in the morning. A reading above the pounds-per-square-inch recommendation in your vehicle’s manual means the air has started to expand and needs to be released.

Check Your Engine Belts

Long-term UV exposure affects the composition of your car’s plastic parts, from the dashboard and trim to belts that help pulleys, pumps, the compressor and the alternator run. Without these essential components, the engine doesn’t have the framework to regulate temperature or keep the battery charged.

If you have DIY skills, pop open the hood to check for fraying, stretching, cracks and other signs of wear. You can also bring any concerns to DaSilva’s Auto Body for a service appointment.

Care for Your A/C System

That blast of cold air makes your summer rides much more comfortable. Yet if your car is a few years old, the coolness you expect may feel lukewarm or you notice anything at all.

Your car’s AC system loses about five percent of its refrigerant per year, more if a leak has developed. Request a fluid top off or have older, worn parts replaced if you notice a stark change since last summer.

Cover Up and Park in the Shade

To preserve the plastic, vinyl and paint, store your car in the garage. If you don’t have that option, here’s how you can create shade:

• Park under a tree or in the shade of a tall building
• Set up a portable carport in your driveway
• Minimize sunlight by putting a shade over the windshield and keeping the sunroof closed
• Use seat covers, especially if you have a vinyl or leather interior
• Condition the leather a few times per year to minimize cracking

Are you concerned about a performance issue or need to schedule a tune-up? Book an appointment with us today!