Welcome to Texas—it’s hot, really hot! While Texas may cool off during the winter, once summer hits expect temperatures to start hitting 100-degrees. While you can take shelter in your home, your car cannot. Unfortunately, all that heat deals damage to your vehicle. So, what can you do to prepare your car for the summer heat?

Protecting Your Car from the Heat & Summer Car Tips

Just how hot can your car get during Summers in Texas? If it’s 102-degrees outside, the interior can escalate to 160-degrees! No wonder heat is one of the biggest environmental concerns for vehicles. Here are some summer car tips to keep your vehicle cool in the hot weather.

Tip #1 – Check Your Coolant System Regularly

Keeping your car cool isn’t just a luxury, it’s a requirement. Your cooling systems works overtime during the summer to keep your engine cool and prevent overheating.

What should you look out for with your cooling system? For starters, always keep your coolant level topped off. Get an oil change to keep built-up grime out of your engine, causing it to run less efficiently. And if you notice any of these signs of a failing cooling system, take your car in ASAP.

Tip #2 – Monitor Tire Pressure

Fun fact: your tires expand when exposed to heat. Keeping them with proper pressure (and not overly inflated) will combat any potential damage from the expansion and deflation throughout the day.

Tip #3 – Don’t Forget Your Battery

While most batteries have issues in winter months, summer isn’t much better. The relentless heat and sun causes the evaporation of fluids, draining life from your battery. Also, it speeds up the process of corrosion. Check your battery regularly and avoid get stranded when your car won’t start.

Tip #4 – Don’t Forget About the Interior

It’s not just your engine and tires; your interior suffers during heat waves. While mainly for cosmetic purposes, protecting your interior keeps the dashboard and seats looking like new while keeping you from sweating for the first 10-minutes of your drive. Tips for protecting your interior include:

  • Tint Your Windows. While a more expensive fix, darker tints block out more sun (make sure not to go darker than legally allowed).
  • Put Up a Sun Shade. The less expensive version, sun shades provide protection to your dashboard as well as reduce the interior temperatures.
  • Crack Your Windows. When safe, crack your windows to allow airflow and ventilation.
  • Use Dashboard Protectants. Before it gets too sunny, wipe the interior with protectant wipes or solutions like Armor All.

Tip #5 – Never Leave Pets or Children in the Car

Leaving pets and children unattended in hot vehicles isn’t just unsafe, it’s illegal! While its a no-brainer to not leave children in your hot car on a 100-degree day, we forget about our furry friends.

The best rule of thumb? Just don’t do it. Even if you think it’s cool enough, it probably isn’t (remember the 160-degree interior on a 102-degree day?).

With temperatures on the rise, these Summer car tips will keep you and your vehicle cool in the sweltering heat. Think your car needs a check-up before the thermometer heats up? Contact Northwest Auto Center of Houston and schedule an appointment — or just stop by!