Summer & Gas Mileage

 Many people are unaware of the harmful affects the summer heat can have on their vehicle let alone their wallets. Now that we are getting into the middle of summer and vacation season, we want to inform our readers to 'prepare for the sun' to avoid any mishaps while on the road this summer.

Rule 1:Direct Sun. Try to avoid leaving your car in the direct sun for extended periods of time. Not only does the interior get extremely hot, but the sun can also fade and crack your dashboard, upholstery, and melt other internal components like stereo knobs.

Rule 2: Safety Check. Extreme heat and long drives can be lethal to cars- new and old. Cracked hoses, leaky radiators, under inflated tires, and dirty filters are all signs of wear and can significantly reduce fuel mileage. Be sure to have a certified mechanic inspect your vehicle before a long drive to ensure the safety of you and your passengers.

Rule 3: Antifreeze. The key to keeping your vehicle running smoothly during the summer months is keeping the engine cool. Various belts and hoses that make this function possible are very susceptible to cracking under heat and will definitely leave you stranded. Sitting in traffic on a hot day is the quickest way to overheat your car. Cars are designed to run hot but there's a limit to how long they can run. If an engine is allowed to get too hot, the internal components can melt and fuse together and create a mess of problems. Luckily, most modern vehicles have antifreeze systems to keep the car running at a working temperature. This component is very important and any problems- missing radiator cap, leaky radiator, cracked belts, etc. will cause your engine to overheat.

Rule 4: Battery. Hot weather is tough on your battery. Heat speeds up the chemical reaction inside the battery, causing the battery to overcharge and dramatically reducing the life of your battery. Heat can also damage the battery by evaporating internal battery fluid, giving you a dead battery.

Rule 5: Air Conditioning. The most common cause of an air conditioning problem is the lack of refrigerant in the system. This is usually caused by a leak in the system. Back in 1994, the Federal government banned the use of Freon (R-12), a chemical that is dangerous to the environment. Most of the consumers of Freon had internal leaks which pumped nothing but Freon into the environment. If your car was built before 1994, then you need to have your refrigerant inspected by a professional who knows how to legally recycle Freon. In some states, its illegal to refill a leaky system with R-12. However, even older cars can be retrofitted to use the newer, safer type of refrigerant called R-134a.

Of course, all of these issue are addressed in our 25 point safety inspection that we give complimentary to our customers who request oil changes. Beat the heat this summer and be proactive.

Call us today at 559-292-2028 to make an appointment or get an estimate.

HowStuffWorks. Web. 05 June 2012. <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/summer-car-maintenance10.htm>.