Scorching temperatures? It’s not just us, walking around city streets looking for some shade, cars also suffer from the heat! And if for us a refreshing granita is a good remedy to regain energy, a summer check-up helps our car maintain perfect efficiency. Here are some tips, for getting around the city and before heading off on holiday.
Water and oil: all good? – Engines are also sensitive to high temperatures. It’s best to check the levels of lubricating oil and coolant, and if necessary, change them. You can find the refilling and replacement intervals for liquids in your car’s manual, but the more often they are changed, the better.
Glass – Windshield, windows, and rear window are crucial components for car safety, and it’s essential that they are in perfect condition. With high temperatures, the glass expands, leading to greater flexing of the PVP, a plastic "sheet" placed between the two layers of glass. While traveling, even a small chip can turn into a crack. The risk is not being able to have adequate visibility or – in the worst case – that the glass breaks completely with minimal pressure. A preventive check-up is better.
Bodywork – Dirt and direct sunlight dull the bodywork. It's best to wash the car often during the hot season, perhaps in the evening or at least in the shade. In seaside locations, fresh water (even on the underbody and in the wheel wells, when the engine is cold) helps remove salt, which causes corrosion. A coat of wax helps keep the bodywork in optimal condition, with little effort. A small warning: parking in the shade, if possible, not only avoids scorching temperatures in the passenger compartment but also helps preserve plastic and rubber parts.
Battery – Summer heat is a dangerous enemy. As the external temperature increases, electrochemical reactions accelerate, the battery discharges faster, and its performance reduces. Cars that are used often can recharge, but for vehicles that remain still for a long time, the charge level continuously decreases. Manufacturers recommend recharging the battery even after exposure to 20°C. Not by chance: in a car exposed to the sun, the temperature under the hood is significantly higher than the external temperature! For a complete summer check-up, it’s better to test the battery, especially if it’s more than three years old.
Tires: when the temperature rises, so does tire pressure. Why? Because hot air occupies more volume than low-temperature air. Tire pressure higher than recommended causes irregular wear, reduced grip, and poor driving comfort. Check the pressure at the tire shop!
With these fundamental checks, the summer check-up can be considered satisfactory. One last warning for the summer: use air conditioning wisely, we discuss it for example here.
