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Summer Car Problems - Watch Out for These Common Vehicle Issues

Date
July 9, 2020
|
Author
bestedge

Summer Car Problems - Watch Out for These Common Vehicle Issues

Many people look forward to enjoying the summer. It’s the perfect time of the year to take an epic road trip. However, the hot weather can put a lot of stress on your vehicle. This is the reason why top mechanics stress the importance of routine maintenance, Let’s take a look at the most common summer car problems.

1. A/C Won’t Cool

When the weather starts to heat up, the cool breeze from an A/C makes life on the road more comfortable. Unfortunately, one of the top summer car problems is A/C failure. In many instances, a lack of refrigerant is the issue. A mechanic will need to track down and seal the leak.

You could also be dealing with a condenser problem, which can become clogged with debris. In this case the air conditioner will only be able to expel hot air.

2. Dead Battery

Many people tend to associate a dead battery with cold weather. However, soaring summer temperatures may also affect the health of a car battery. The heat can deteriorate a battery’s internal parts, thus weakening its charge.

There are some ways to protect your battery from being damaged. For starters, try to park your vehicle in the shade whenever possible. Because dirt can become a conductor and drain power, it’s even more important to clean the battery posts. Also, make sure the battery’s insulated heat barrier is in good condition.

3. Overheated Engine

We’ve all seen a broken-down vehicle with steam pouring from underneath the hood. This problem often indicates an overheated engine, As soon as you notice your temperature gauge starting to approach the danger zone, pull over immediately! Extreme temperatures can destroy an engine within minutes.

Before you begin to experience any summer car problems with the rising temperatures, be sure to have your cooling system inspected by a professional mechanic. A low level of antifreeze makes your engine far more likely to overheat. It’s also important to check the condition of your hoses. Small cracks in the rubber indicate the need for replacement.

4. Tire Blowout

A tire blowout can be an extremely scary event. The sheer force of the explosion may cause you to momentarily lose control of your vehicle. Although a tire blowout can occur during the winter, driving on hot asphalt makes it more likely to occur.

To prevent putting yourself a risk, always be sure to maintain the proper tire pressure. Underinflated tires are far more likely to experience a blowout. You should also keep an eye out for signs of wear, especially bubbles and tears. The cost of a new set of tires is well worth the extra peace of mind,

5. Out of Gas

Every summer, hundreds of drivers run out of gas. Being stuck in the scorching heat is no fun. Fortunately, this is probably the easiest car problem to prevent.

Ideally, you should never allow your gas gauge to drop below a quarter tank. Not only will this help keep you from being stranded on the side of the road, but it also helps prevent your fuel pump from overheating. The gasoline actually keeps the fuel pump cool.

6. Performance Issues

Summer car problems such as performance related issues should always raise a red flag. In many instances, this problem simply stems from a lack of routine maintenance. A dirty air filter will definitely cause your vehicle to feel sluggish and underpowered. To develop full output, the engine needs a steady supply of fresh oxygen.

Worn spark plugs will also severely hinder your vehicle’s performance. Hesitation, hard starting, and rough idling can all indicate that you need a tuneup. Replacing the spark plugs could immediately restore your vehicle’s drivability.