Protect Your Car and Pickup Truck in Summer

For nine long months we wait for summer and when finally it is here, it is not always the Summer of our dreams. Long sunny days are a great boon but with Global Warming in full swing, it is just too much of a good thing for our cars and pickup trucks.

Our cars are not just our mode of transportation but also a refuge from the brutal heat when Sun really cranks up its engine. When the car is sitting outside in the sweltering heat the inside temperature keeps rising until it is dangerously hot. The trapped sunlight inside the car can bake the car to 120 degree in 80 degree temperature.

And yes it is true air conditioning breaks more often in Summer just when you need it most. Cars naturally overheat a lot in these months but not just because of the Sun beating down hard. For many it is the radiator that acts up while others suffer when coolant reservoir runs out of antifreeze.

Here are some other tips on keeping your car cool during Summer:

(1) Park in a shady spot and place sunshade

A necessary precaution is the choice of parking spot. Whenever possible, choose a shadier spot to park even if it means walking a few blocks. Your body and your car will thank you when you return to a cooler car. If you cannot find a shady spot then place sunshades in front and rear windows and if the heat is intense then place window visors on the side as well. Crack open the windows slightly to allow cross ventilation.

(2) Install a tint

If you live in a warm country then getting your windows tinted is a great idea. It protects you not only from heat but also from prying eyes. Find out tinting regulations in your country as most countries restrict tinting to a certain percentage. In most countries including the United States the maximum allowed tinting is 30%.

(3) Check and change the coolant

Coolant system is generally the first casualty of the summer so we cannot risk its breakdown due to overheating. Manufacturers recommend that drivers should flush the coolant from the reservoir every two years. Mechanics recommend that antifreeze should be mixed with water half and half. Make sure you check and refurbish the coolant system at the onset of the summer.

(4) Change the oil regularly

Mechanics recommend that oil should be changed every 3000 to 5000 miles. If you are living in a country with dirty fuel, oil and filters should be changed more often. Make it is a habit of checking the oil volume every few weeks. Make sure that the engine has a chance to cool off before you check the oil.

(5) Have A/C serviced regularly

Get your Air Condition serviced before the onset of summer. Most owner's manual list air condition service schedule and this schedule should be followed.