Top Things to Maintain On Your Car This Summer

As is to be expected, most car care tips for summer involve counteracting the negative effects of heat, especially following sudden heat waves.  There are, however, car maintenance tips for summer that do not directly deal with the temperature and may not, at first, seem obvious, so Rosen Hyundai in Algonquin has put together the following list of recommendations and precautions that can make any Hyundai ready for summer:

 

Remember That Extreme Cold and Heat Are a Battery's Enemies

 

Just as cold snaps may wear down a battery over winter, heat waves can harm a battery if proper steps are not taken.  This is because high heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, which in turn damages the battery's internal structure.  This may cause a battery to overcharge or suffer other issues and fail prematurely.  To prevent such issues from happening, check a battery's fluid level on a regular basis, particularly during or after a heat wave.  While some batteries require a cap to be physically removed during a fluid check, many modern units have built-in fluid level displays.  If the level is low, take it in to a certified car service provider like Rosen Hyundai in Algonquin's Service Center for maintenance or, depending on the model, refill the battery up to its target level using distilled water.

 

A Build-Up of Summer Grime Can Impair a Battery

Another car care tip for summer that relates to batteries is simply to keep the top of a battery, including its terminals, clean.  This is because the grime that's picked up during long summer drives can actually conduct electricity, which reduces battery power.  Corrosion can also act as an insulator on terminals and inhibit the flow of electricity.

 

Change a Car's Coolant before Summer Begins, Then Check It Regularly

No list of summer car care tips would be complete without noting that the fluid used in an automobile's cooling system should be changed at least once a year and, preferably, before summer starts.  On most systems, the radiator uses a 50/50 mixture of distilled water and coolant.  Though this task can be completed at home, busy drivers are always invited to take their car in to Rosen Hyundai in Algonquin's Service Center for a fluid check or replacement.  For the sake of convenience, this can easily be done as part of regularly scheduled maintenance.  This is also a good time to have a car's radiator and associated systems inspected.

 

Washing off Bug Splatter Is Actually Important

Even though high quality paint is used on every Hyundai, summer presents any car's exterior with unique challenges.  Though the mention of bugs and birds among a list of car maintenance tips for summer may be surprising, the reality is that bug splatter and bird droppings can cause damage once they harden in the heat and begin to bake into a car's paint job.  If left unwashed, such residue can actually create holes that lead to small rust spots.  Likewise, any form of debris that's picked up while on a summer drive should be washed off as soon as possible.  Make sure to dry the car off with a cloth towel afterwards, though, as water can leave mineral deposits when left to evaporate in the sun.

 

Always Keep a Car's Grille and Other Intake Areas Clear of Debris

Like all internal combustion engines, car motors need a steady, clean flow of air to operate.  Other than helping to cool the engine, the grille and other air intakes that are built into the front of a car help the engine aspirate, though, as is the case with some side air curtains and vents, they can also cool the brakes and other systems.  For these and other reasons, an important summer car care tip is to make sure that all grilles and vents are always clear of mud, leaves, or other debris.

 

Park in Cool, Shaded Areas

Parking away from the direct glare of the sun does more than just keep a car's interior comfortable.  It can also prevent leather, plastic, and other interior surfaces from cracking or distorting over time, all while also keeping paint from fading.  It's even good for tires, as temperature spikes can cause noticeable changes in air pressure.

 

Ultimately, Regularly Scheduled Maintenance Is the Easiest Way To Ensure That, For Any Hyundai, Summer Holds No Surprises

One of the most important car care tips for summer is to make sure that a vehicle receives regularly scheduled maintenance.  Indeed, this tip encompasses most of the others, as fluid changes, radiator and air conditioning inspections, battery tests, and other essential types of maintenance can be conducted at one time during a stop at Rosen Hyundai in Algonquin's Service Center at 771 South Randall Road.  Call (888) 806-3252 to set up an appointment or learn about Rosen Hyundai's latest parts and service specials.