Most people think winter is harder on cars, but summer heat actually causes more breakdowns. High temperatures accelerate battery failure, stress the cooling system, and bake rubber components. A 30-minute checkup now can save you from melting on the shoulder of the highway.
Summer prep checklist
- Battery — heat is the #1 battery killer, not cold. Cold just reveals a battery that heat already weakened. If your battery is over 3 years old, have it load-tested. Clean terminals if you see corrosion.
- Coolant level and condition — check the overflow reservoir when the engine is cold. Top off if low. If the coolant looks rusty or has floating debris, flush it.
- AC performance — turn it on full blast. If it's blowing cool but not cold, you may be low on refrigerant. A recharge kit from the auto parts store runs about $30.
- Tire pressure — heat increases tire pressure (~1 PSI per 10F). Tires inflated correctly in spring may be 4-5 PSI high by midsummer, wearing the center tread faster. Check pressures in the morning before driving and adjust to the door-jamb spec.
- Wiper fluid — you'll use more in summer (bugs, dust). Top it off with a summer formula that includes a bug cleaner.
Why it matters
The AAA reports that summer months see more roadside assistance calls than winter. Overheating, dead batteries, and tire blowouts spike when temperatures climb above 90F. Every one of these is preventable with basic checks.
Quick action
Block out 30 minutes this weekend. Check your coolant level, battery terminals, tire pressures, and test your AC. That's four of the five most common summer breakdown causes, handled in half an hour.
