Although the worst is coming to an end here in the Phoenix Valley, temperatures are still reaching triple digits nearly every day. Needless to say, it is still brutally hot and without a doubt one of the worst things about the heat is how hot your vehicle can get, both inside and out. This can cause both you and your car to overheat, resulting in stress and potential repairs. Aside from the exceptionally obvious remedy of air conditioning, we're providing you with several other ways to keep your interior as well as parts of your car from getting too hot. We will begin with the engine itself, the most important part of your vehicle in terms of keeping it running. There are three critical steps you need to take to keep it from overheating:
Limit your use of air conditioning
: This one might seem unthinkable. We're not asking you to stop using your godsend AC in general, but your AC compressor runs off your engine so using it nonstop can cause your engine to work harder.
Keep track of your oil: Having a sufficient amount of engine oil in your car will keep your engine from overheating. How often you should get an oil change depends on your vehicle and what conditions you drive in, so it's best to ask the advice of a professional.
Keep track of your coolant: Your car also needs a sufficient amount of coolant (also known as antifreeze). Antifreeze has earned its name for having a low freezing point, but it also has a high boiling point. Having a sufficient amount of coolant will keep your engine cooler. Another crucial part of your car is the tires. Though less expensive to repair, the heat can quickly cause significant wear and tear, especially if you don't take the right precautions.
To protect your tires, be sure that you are consistently checking their air pressure. When tires are underinflated they cover more surface area of the ground and therefore create more friction with the ultra-hot pavement. This causes them to wear quickly and can even create holes in the rubber. Lastly, there are four essential steps to take to keep the inside of your car cool, and in turn making sure you don't feel like you're melting into your car seat.
Use sunshades: You've no doubt seen them everywhere. Sunshades, as the name states, shade your car from the sun. Keeping sunlight out of your car is vital in terms of keeping it cool. You should at the very least have one to put on your windshield to keep the driver's seat from getting too hot.
Crack your windows: Have your windows open very slightly when you're not in the car. This allows heat to exit your vehicle.
Consider tinted windows: Tints cause some light to be bounced off of your windows while letting the rest in. It's important to keep in mind that at least 70% of light needs to pass through in order for the tinted windows to be legal in the U.S
Use water and a cloth/rag: Water is great for cooling of surfaces. Keep water with you, preferably cold or cool, put some on a cloth and wipe down your steering wheel, gear switch, etc.
Hope this helps you and your car survive the long, hot summers. Contact us with any questions at:
AZ Insurance Team
480-535-5709
*All policies are a little different and this may not be applicable to your insurance policy, talk to your agent to see what your policy covers.*
*This post was originally published in July, 2017 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness*