Summertime and driving go hand in hand. Few things automotive are more enjoyable than a summer drive with the windows down and the music up. However, operating your vehicle in the season’s high temperatures safely calls for a little planning.

1. Keep It Cool

No one enjoys hopping into a car that has been baking in the sun. At best, it is unpleasant, but it can also be distracting. Avoid this by making use of a windshield sunshade, cracking a window slightly to keep cooler outside air circulating through your vehicle’s interior, and parking in the shade whenever possible. To ensure that your vehicle cools quickly — and stays cool — perform scheduled maintenance on the vehicle’s air conditioning system, including recharging the coolant if required.

2. Keep Supplies on Hand

When the mercury rises, it’s a good idea to keep a few additional supplies on hand to increase comfort and safety. A case of bottled water can be a lifesaver if you should find yourself caught in an unexpected summer traffic jam or experience a breakdown in an out-of-the-way location. Keep sunscreen, spare sunglasses, and a hat in your vehicle. This will ensure you’re prepared for spur-of-the-moment outings as well as mechanical trouble that may have you spending time on the side of the road or facing a long walk.

3. Change the Oil

It was once the norm to switch to a thicker oil each summer. Although that is no longer necessary, it’s still important to know that the oil in your car can handle the demands imposed on the engine by high temperatures. Check the level of the oil by removing the dipstick, wiping off excess oil, and reinserting it before removing it again to verify the level is within the marks indicating “add” and “full.” Also, check the oil’s coloration. Oil that has an amber hue is good, but darker brown or even black oil is beginning to break down and no longer provides protection to the engine.

4. Check the Coolant

Heat is your engine’s enemy. It is extremely important to keep the coolant within the proper levels, or the vehicle will overheat. This heating can cause engine components constructed of different materials to expand at different rates. This, in turn, can lead to damaging friction and even irreversible damage if that expansion causes the engine’s moving components seize up. Do not mix coolants of different colors, because the components that protect against corrosion found in one color of antifreeze are incompatible with those of a different color. This can lead to early corrosion, sludge buildup, excessive wear, and reduced engine life.

Never open a radiator cap on a motor that is hot from recent operation. Thermal expansion takes place during operation, which pressurizes the cooling system. Suddenly releasing that pressure can cause steam and antifreeze to escape explosively. High temperatures can also damage hoses that provide coolant to the motor, so check all hoses for excessive wear and damage.

By following a few simple steps, you can easily make driving in the summer fun and safe for you, your passengers, and your vehicle.

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