What does my vehicle need in this heat?
We may have some good news for you
Let’s start with some good-ish news… we aren’t seeing record-breaking heat. No, that came around in 2021 when Portland hit a staggering 116 degrees. We’re only looking at 100-110 degrees this week, so maybe there’s some comfort in that. But when it comes to your vehicle we have good news too! If your vehicle is up-to-snuff on its basic systems then it’s ready for the heat. You don’t have to take any unusual steps to drive confidently in 100+ heat, but of course there are a few things to be aware of…
Since heat like this is so unusual we thought our clients may be concerned about possible effects on their vehicles. We talked with Chad Daley, our Shop Foreman, to see what advice he’d give and his answer was refreshingly short… “Nothing, really”.
Chad explained that vehicles are designed to work in 100+ temperatures or more (think about cars in Arizona, New Mexico, or Texas that see high temperatures all the time), but the heat does stress them more than a 70-80 degree day. It shouldn’t affect systems that are working correctly, but if one is marginal and about to fail the heat may push it over the line. That’s the main message, but there are finer details to consider.
Engine coolant/anti-freeze
“The main thing to check is that your anti-freeze is full”, said Chad. Anti-freeze? In 100 degree weather? Yes, because the same fluid that’s anti-freeze in the winter is coolant in the summer. “Don’t take the cap off to check it… that could be dangerous if the radiator is under pressure. Check the level in the plastic coolant bottle under the hood. There’s a mark for how high it should be when your engine has been running for a while, and a much lower mark to check when it’s cool. As long as there is SOME coolant you’re probably OK, but if you’re in doubt call us and check.” If your coolant is full, your engine is very unlikely to overheat and cause major damage.
Oil
“Heat doesn’t affect lubrication much, but it can cause older oil to break down more quickly”. Make sure you’re up-to-date on your oil changes (our Minor Interval Service) both by time and mileage, but heat won’t have much direct effect.
Tires
Again, your tires are designed to work well in much higher temperatures than we’re experiencing. Some people worry that the heat will melt the rubber of the tire, but it has to get MUCH hotter before that’s an issue. One bit of advice you may hear is to slightly lower the tire pressure so the tires will reach proper pressure from the ambient heat and heat of driving. Don’t do it. “Go by the air pressure listed on the label on your door, or listed in the owner’s manual”, Chad told us. “Lower pressure puts more rubber in contact with the road, and this could result in damage to the tread or side walls as the tire warms up.” Your manufacturer recommends specific air pressures for a reason; listen to them.
Battery
Heat does affect your battery, but the overall lifetime instead of immediate failure. “Vehicles in extreme heat areas are lucky to get a year out of a battery”, Chad told us. You may have a problem if the battery is marginal already, but if it’s newer and delivering the cranking power it’s supposed to it won’t fail and leave you stranded.
Air Conditioning
This may be your biggest heat-related worry, but again we have good news. “AC either works or it doesn’t. You’re not wearing out your AC by using it in hot weather”, Chad reassured us. “If the system is working properly, then it’s a sealed system and the refrigerant stays in to be used over and over.” If your AC refrigerant is running low it means you have a leak somewhere in the system, and you’ll eventually need an AC service to fix it. However, if it’s a SMALL leak, a top-off of the system could limp you along a little while longer. If you decide to go this route, Chad advised “Don’t use ANY recharge kit from an auto parts store! You never know WHAT they put in those things, and it could seriously damage the system”. Give us a call and we can top off what you need.
Tom Dwyer’s Summer Schedule
Chad didn’t mention it, but we thought we’d point out that if you want us to look at your vehicle you should call as far in advance as possible. Summer is our busiest time of year and we are currently scheduling a week or two out. It may not be possible to advance-schedule for an unplanned breakdown, but if you’re (wisely!) planning a check out before a big road trip then calling two to four weeks before the Big Day is smart. First, it ensures you’ll have the service appointment you need when you want it. But secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it gives you a chance to make sure any repairs are done properly and any break-downs happen here with time to fix them before you go. Our 24/24 warranty will cover you nationwide, but you don’t want the story of your vacation to start with “We were just a day out of Portland when all the engine lights went on!”
Top Gas Mileage Tips for the Heat
And one more thing for you… Check here for our tips to improve your Summer Gas Mileage
