Protect your car and beat the heat with these 
summertime tips.
With Austin’s record-breaking heat, it’s important to take proper care of ourselves and our loved ones (including our pets!), and also make sure you are protecting your car from the extreme heat. Different vehicle components can fall victim of hot temperatures and no one wants to deal with car failure in the middle of a scorching hot Texas afternoon.
We recommend that you check the coolant levels, oil levels and tire pressure year round. However, summertime heat can take a toll on those, as well as heavily damage or drain other components such as gas, battery and wipers.
Coolant Levels – Driving around Austin during the day without air conditioning is less than ideal. Keep the radiator in your vehicle in top condition by regularly checking coolant levels, especially before leaving for a big road trip.
Gas – Let’s start by stating the obvious-gas is anything but cheap. Second obvious statement-gas is a liquid; and what happens to liquid in the heat? That’s right. It evaporates. Now, unless you are the King of Dubai with a net worth of $30billion, we might assume you wouldn’t like your money turning into toxic fumes (figuratively speaking). Your best bet is to park in a shaded area, under trees or in a covered parking spot.
Battery Life – Just like gas, the acid inside a car’s battery also evaporates when its sweltering hot outside. Heat is one of the primary causes of short battery life, so park in the shade to prevent direct sunlight exposure to your car and preserve battery life. In addition to parking in the shade, get your battery tested if it’s more than two years old. However, if it’s three years old or older, you’ll be better off replacing it all together. Also remember to always carry a pair of jumper cables.
Tires – Although tires are manufactured to withstand high temperatures, poorly inflated tires are at higher risk of catastrophic tire failure, especially during extremely hot days. A catastrophic failure is no flat tire; it can cause accidents and, even, take lives. So, go right now, check your tire pressure, and keep inspecting it regularly – avoid any preventable tire risk.
Windshield Wipers – Wipers are probably not the first thing that comes into mind when thinking about heat damage, but it does affect them. Heat can make wipers “stick” to the glass, making it hard to pull loose. When they do pull loose, they will most likely scrub, instead of clean, all over the windshield creating a nice smearing artwork of dirt and dust. Therefore, try to use your wipers regularly to avoid letting the heat win.
At Howdy Honda, we are known for our world-class Honda Service Department and Express Service Center. We are always ready to inspect or repair any car-care issue – heat-related or not. Schedule a service appointment by calling us at 512-443-4300 or by using the convenient online scheduling service on our website. You have the knowledge in your hands, beat the heat!
Tags: austin honda, honda repair austin, honda service austin, howdy honda service, repair center austin
