Summer Survival Tips for Your Vehicle
People who have lived in West Alabama for any amount of time know how extreme our summer temperatures can be. The heat and humidity in Tuscaloosa, Northport, and the surrounding areas seems to be worse than in many other places, possibly due to the proximity of so many bodies of water: (The Black Warrior River, Lake Tuscaloosa, and Lake Lurleen to name a few). While we may not like it too much, most of us have learned to live with it. However, your vehicle can be overly stressed from the heat as well which is why we’ve come up with some summer survival tips to protect your vehicle from the extreme heat of West Alabama summers.
Test Your Car Battery Regularly
High temperatures can drain the life of your battery more quickly. You may have experienced this with your cell phone and mobile devices. Same goes for your car battery. To make sure your car battery is not drained, test the battery regularly and keep the top of the battery clean.
Protect Your Paint
If you regularly wax your vehicle or apply paint protective sealants, your paint color will be better protected under the sizzling sun. Wax and paint sealers will help your vehicle’s color remain its original shade, rather than fading. For best results, apply wax regularly.
Seek Out Shade
Shady spots will keep the interior temperatures of your vehicle a bit lower than if it were parked in broad sunlight. This should go without saying, but please, do not leave children, pets, or perishable goods in your vehicle unattended, even if you’re parked in the shade or only leaving your vehicle for a short period of time.
Find Cover
If you park your vehicle in a garage or underneath a custom car cover, you’re already helping to protect your vehicle from the summer sun and heat. The cover of a parking garage or a fitted car cover acts like sunblock for your vehicle’s paint. It will also be cooler inside if you find cover from the summer sun.
Lower Your Windows Slightly
Regardless if you’re in the shade or full sun, consider lowering your car windows to prevent the waterproofing seals from fusing to the window glass. Leaving your windows cracked an inch or two will create enough space to vent the hot air. The vehicle’s interior will be less prone to cracking and fading, too, if you allow that extra hot air to escape.
Cover Your Windows
Whether you permanently apply tinted windows or put removable windshield sunshades on your dashboard, it will help keep your vehicle’s interior cooler year round. To help combat the Tuscaloosa heat, tinted windows (as allowable by law) and windshield sunshades are must-haves for many vehicle owners.
Schedule Regular Service
Did you know extreme temperatures are very hard on vehicles? Whether it’s a harsh summer or winter, you can protect your vehicle best with regularly scheduled service and repair. Regular vehicle maintenance will make certain your fluids maintain their correct levels of viscosity, that your engine is not at risk of overheating, and that your tires are properly inflated to endure the raging temperatures.
Contact Us:
Postle Tire Barn is a locally owned, family operated tire and automotive repair facility located in Tuscaloosa, AL. We’ve served the Tuscaloosa and West Alabama area for more than 35 years. We are fully licensed and insured and look forward to becoming your tire and automotive repair shop of choice.
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