Many people look forward to summer and all that warmer weather has to bring – barbeques, pool parties, gardening, and road trips! Summer here in Arizona, however, can see temperatures rise over the 100-degree mark, making it especially important to be prepared to handle the heat.

While you’re stocking up on shorts and tank tops for yourself, don’t forget that the heat affects your vehicle too! In fact, it’s probably going to need a little extra care this time of year to make sure it’s summer-ready. Use this checklist to make sure your car is ready for warmer weather BEFORE you head out on your first road trip.

Warm weather vehicle preparedness checklist

• Fluid levels – Just like you drink water and sweat to maintain the proper body temperature, your vehicle also has mechanisms to keep itself cool. Higher temperatures mean liquids like coolant and oil will evaporate more quickly, potentially causing problems if the levels become too low. Check other fluids, too, including windshield washer, brake, and power steering fluids.

• Tires – Make sure your tires have adequate tread, along with the proper tire pressure. Extreme heat can increase the likelihood of a blowout when combined with other factors such as poor tire maintenance.

• Air conditioning system – Having a properly functioning AC system won’t prevent you from breaking down on the road, but it WILL keep you more comfortable during a breakdown or just during summer driving. AC service, which includes visual inspection of the system’s pressure, temperature, belt tension, and air volume, should be performed annually.

• Car battery – While batteries can fail at any time, extreme temperatures can make them die sooner. Heat can evaporate battery fluid, causing it to malfunction or not work at all. Battery service by a qualified technician is recommended to detect potential problems before they leave you stranded.

• Cooling system – With one of the leading causes of vehicle breakdowns being the cooling system failure, we recommend cooling system service every 12 to 24 months, depending on your vehicle. Neglecting proper cooling system maintenance can cause damage to the engine and transmission, leading to expensive repairs that could possibly have been prevented.

Professional vehicle maintenance

The checklist above is a great place to start when getting your vehicle ready for summer, but it is not an all-inclusive list. Your best bet is to schedule an appointment for service with one of our expert auto repair technicians. Leave the vehicle maintenance to us, and we’ll leave the summer fun to you!