5 Useful Summer Car Tips You May Have Overlooked

When it comes to caring for your car in the summer, you probably already know some of the common tricks of the trade, such as checking your tires and changing your air filter. Despite this, your car can still take a beating in summer. As your leading Toyota car dealership in New Jersey, we've provided useful car care tips to make your driving experience more pleasant during the hot season.

Cool Down Your Interior

In the summertime, the interior of your car can feel like it's on fire when you first get in. While your first thought may be to turn on the air conditioner, if you open the windows as well, it will cool your car more quickly. This helps to push out the hot air and allow cool air to circulate. And, as you probably already know, when you first get into your car, your steering wheel is especially hot. To avoid this, turn your steering wheel 180 degrees before getting out of the car. This will keep the side that you touch cool while you're not driving.

Deodorize the Interior 

A hot summer day can result in a smelly car, but there are a few simple things you can do to avoid this problem. For starters, keep your car clean. This means vacuuming the seats and carpet, and wiping the interior with a multi-purpose auto cleaner. In addition, keep boxes of baking soda or dryer sheets under the front seats to help remove odor. Also, when you're able to, leave your windows down a bit to allow air to flow, and have air fresheners in your car.

Prevent Your Engine from Overheating

Your car does a lot of work in the hot summer (especially during heat waves) and, if you don't care for your vehicle properly, it can cause the engine to overheat. You can prevent this problem by ensuring that your coolant levels aren't low and checking for any potential leaks. Other issues such as a broken fan belt and clogged radiator can cause your engine to overheat. If you believe that your car may be experiencing engine problems, contact our service center to speak to a mechanic.

Avoid Blown Out Tires

While a blowout can occur any time you drive, your tires are more prone to blowouts in the heat of summer. This is because you're driving on scorching hot roads for long periods of time and also because air pressure changes put more strain on the tires. Underinflation or overinflation will only exacerbate this issue. Therefore, be sure to keep your tires properly inflated and check the treads for wear that could make them unstable.

Keep Your Paint Looking Fresh

Keeping your car in the sun too long can cause the paint and interior fabric to fade. To avoid this, keep your car parked in a garage or shaded area, or invest in a cover for it.

For more information on car care, check out our Autoland blog or give us a call!