Summer Heat

Too Hot to Handle: How High Summer Temps Can Wreck Your Ride

Summer is all about sunshine, road trips, and open windows—but while you're enjoying the heat, your car might be suffering. Extreme temperatures aren’t just uncomfortable for drivers; they can take a serious toll on your vehicle’s performance, safety, and lifespan.

Here’s how scorching summer heat can mess with your ride—and what you can do to protect it.

1. Battery Blues

You might associate dead batteries with winter, but hot weather is actually worse. Excessive heat accelerates the chemical reaction inside your battery, shortening its life and increasing the chance of a sudden failure.

Mobile mechanic tip: Have your battery tested at the start of summer and keep it clean. Corrosion on terminals can reduce conductivity and lead to power issues.

2. Overheating Engines

Your engine works hard in any season, but high temperatures put it at risk of overheating—especially if your coolant system isn’t in top shape. Low coolant levels or old, gunky fluid can quickly lead to engine failure.

Mobile mechanic tip: Check your coolant regularly and flush the system as recommended in your owner’s manual.

3. Tire Trouble

Hot asphalt can make your tires swell and, in extreme cases, even burst. High temps also increase tire pressure, which can reduce traction and cause uneven wear.

Mobile mechanic tip: Check your tire pressure often—preferably when they’re cool—and don’t forget to inspect for cracks or worn treads.

4. Fluid Fade

Fluids like oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid thin out in the heat, making them less effective. This can reduce performance and cause damage to vital components.

Mobile mechanic tip: Keep all your fluids topped off and replace them according to your vehicle’s maintenance schedule.

 5. AC Strain

That sweet, cold air keeping you comfortable? Your air conditioning system works overtime in the summer. Without proper care, it can fail—turning your commute into a sauna.

Mobile mechanic tip: If your AC isn’t blowing as cold as it should, get it checked for refrigerant leaks or clogged filters.

Keep Cool and Drive On

Extreme heat isn’t just tough on you—it’s brutal on your vehicle, too. Regular maintenance is your best defense against the damage summer temps can cause. Stay ahead of issues before they leave you stranded in the blazing sun.

So this summer, beat the heat—not just for your comfort, but for your car’s health, too.

Want a checklist of summer car care tips? Let me know and I’ll send one your way!