Driving in the summer is often more pleasurable because the sun is out, and the conditions are perfect for driving. At the same time, a vehicle needs to be prepared for summer driving. A vehicle that is not prepared is more likely to crash or cause the driver to lose control. Drivers might feel as though their cars should be ready for summer driving because it is modern or even brand new, but that is not always the case.
Air Conditioning Systems
The air conditioning (AC) system in a car is easy to test. Give the vehicle a few moments to cool down. If the car’s AC system is tested only a few seconds after the engine starts, it has not been given enough time to work properly. If the vehicle is not cooling down the cabin properly, check to make sure there is enough coolant. In the simplest of cases, the vehicle may be out of coolant. If the vehicle is leaking coolant, that system must be repaired as soon as possible.
Drivers may also be out of freon and it should be replaced if the driver feels comfortable with the process. A freon leak will make a hissing sound that is easy to hear once the car is turned off, and a coolant leak is easy to see when the driver backs out of a parking spot.
How Can I Tell if My Car’s Cooling System is Working?
The engine cooling system is easy to check because there is a temperature gauge in all modern cars. If the car is overheating when it is idling or on short drives, the system should be checked as soon as possible. A mechanic can check the coolant hoses and supply, as well as the radiator. Alternatively, drivers may want to check the radiator on their own. Never remove the radiator cap after running the car. The radiator is pressurized, and boiling water droplets could spew from the radiator. If the radiator appears to be damaged, is retaining water, or smells smoky, it should be repaired as soon as possible.
As part of this process, it would be wise to check the oil. Oil that is burnt or discolored should be changed instantly. A hot engine will burn off the oil, smoke, or even crack the engine block. Drivers might also notice an oil leak, which warrants an immediate trip to the mechanic.
Should I Get New Tires for the Summer?
While drivers spend quite a lot of money on tires for their vehicles, they often forget that different tires are effective in the winter and summer. Winter tires are designed to have thicker treads to ensure that cars can ride through slush and snow with ease. Summer tires, on the other hand, are designed with thin treads to ensure that cars have more grip on the roads. Roads in the summer are very hot, often damp, and can become very slippery. Changing tires between seasons also allows drivers to get more use out of them for years to come.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wipers on a car are often assumed to work perfectly at all times, and they are rarely checked because drivers do not use them enough to care. Even if the wipers are not working perfectly, they might be effective enough that drivers are not concerned. Wipers, however, are the easiest part on a car to replace. Check to ensure that they move smoothly over the surface of the glass. Since summer rain showers are common, it is important for drivers to have wipers that work. A common misconception may be that the wipers worked fine in the winter, however, they could have been bent or damaged in the process of removing snow and ice.
How Can I Safely Check the Brakes?
Checking the brakes is an ongoing process. Drivers who get behind the wheel need to think about how much pressure they apply when pressing the brake pedal. If the brake pedal feels loose, check the brake fluid in the vehicle. If the car has enough brake fluid, the brakes should be checked by a licensed mechanic. Summer rain showers can cause weather-related car accidents, so it is important that the brakes are working correctly. Brakes could fail if the brake fluid is smoking or simply not filling the system the way it should. An effective alternative to traditional brake pads is a ceramic brake system that never wears down.
How Should I Check My Car’s Lights?
The lights on a vehicle are also fairly simple to inspect and replace. Start the car, depress the brake pedal, and have a person outside the car check the brake lights to ensure that they are working properly. Turn on the flashers for both the left and right blinkers. The person outside the vehicle should check both sides in the front and rear. Turn on the high beams and fog lamps when applicable and replace any lights on the car that do not work. In most modern vehicles, the lights are easy to access. The panels can be removed with a screwdriver and the lights can be purchased at a local auto parts store.
Why is it Important to Wash My Car?
Drivers might feel that washing their car in the summer is a waste of time because it will rain moments after the car has been cleaned. While this may be true, the car needs to be stripped of all the residue from driving during a long winter. Salt and debris can easily stick to the car, and rust will form if this debris is not removed.
The car will also start to rust faster because of damp conditions in the summer. Cleaning the car will reveal any areas that should be repaired, and drivers can purchase a special paint kit that allows them to cover any rusted areas. Take this process a step further by safely bringing the car up on wheel ramps or sliding under the vehicle to check for rust in the undercarriage. While modern car washes claim to clean the undercarriage, that area can be damaged significantly in the winter, and repairing rusted areas now will prevent the damage from getting worse.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
Preparing a car for the summer is extremely important, and it will help prevent a car accident from happening. Unfortunately, a car accident can still occur due to the negligent actions of another driver. It is important to seek legal advice to help with a personal injury claim and to obtain any entitled compensation.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Assist Victims Injured in Summer Car Accidents
If you have been involved in a car accident, reach out to one of our Philadelphia car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC for assistance. Call us at 215-569-8488 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Abington, and Media, Pennsylvania; Wilmington, Delaware; and Haddonfield, New Jersey, we help car accident victims throughout the surrounding areas.