Summer is a great time to get out on the road and enjoy the beautiful weather. The heat can be tough on your car, however. Fortunately, some smart vehicle maintenance can help prevent the common issues drivers deal with this time of year, so you can safely enjoy your summer road trips.  

Driver's Guide to Common Summer Issues

1. Dead Batteries

Hot temperatures evaporate the battery fluid in your engine, reducing its ability to hold a charge. This means that a battery that could have been working smoothly throughout the spring could die during the summer, leaving you stranded. Batteries generally need to be replaced every three to five years as a part of routine vehicle maintenance. If yours is more than three years old, have its charge tested by a mechanic and replace it if needed.

2. Burst Tires

Air expands as it gets warmer. This means that the pressure inside your tires builds as the days get hotter and may fluctuate each day as they cool at night then heat up during the afternoon. Checking your tire pressure at least once a week when the tires are cold, such as in the morning before you drive, gives you the most accurate pressure reading. Keep the pressure within the recommended range displayed on the tire's sidewall. 

3. Overheating Engines

The hot conditions put some extra pressure on your engine, which already gets hot while it runs. If you're low on coolant or your radiator is malfunctioning, this will be exacerbated in the summer heat. Check your coolant levels at the beginning of the summer and top it off if needed. Watch your dashboard's temperature gauge, and if it gets into the red zone, pull over to let your engine cool down before taking it in to have the radiator checked. 

Keep your car running smoothly this summer with services from the team at Reffitt's Garage & Towing Service, Auto Body Repair, LLC in Hamilton, OH. They provide a full array of vehicle maintenance and engine repair services at fair prices. If a problem ever leaves you stranded in the area, their 24-hour towing service will take your vehicle to their shop for service. Learn more on their website, or call (513) 863-3008 for an estimate.