Essential Summer Car Care Tips
Alex FosterAnyone who owns a car knows summer isn't just about driving carefree with the windows down and music blasting. While the warmer weather is great for your mood and social life, it's equally challenging for vehicles. The combination of high temperatures, intense sunlight, and frequent driving can accelerate wear and damage. Nobody wants that.
In this guide, we'll share some car tips for summer to protect your vehicle. Summer should be fun; with these easy maintenance tips, you won't have car trouble to ruin the mood.
5 Ways to Maintain Your Car This Summer
There are many benefits of keeping a well-maintained car. However, maintaining your car is also about keeping it safe: here are five summer car care tips to keep everything running smoothly.
1. Beat the Heat
Know your "keep cool" strategies. Park your car in the shade, invest in steering wheel covers, and always open your windows to let hot air out before closing them to turn on the air conditioning. Don't ask too much of your vehicle to start with — beating the heat at the starting gates is the best way to maintain your car long-term.
2. Prioritize Tires
Hot weather is carnage for your tires. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures causes cracking and can even mess with inflation. Besides parking in the shade, keep a closer eye on your tire quality, tread depth, and inflation in summer. Early detection is key to preventing accidents and is one of the top car maintenance tips for summer.
3. Re-Evaluate Interior Colors
If you're going to experience repeated hot summers, it's worth re-evaluating interior colors. Dark seats are a magnet for heat, whereas lighter covers stay cooler for longer. Take your upholstery into consideration. And if you're set on a dark look, consider a windshield cover or tinted windows.
4. Watch Your Liquids
It's no secret that heat is brutal on your car. The hot weather saps up liquids quicker than you may be accustomed to, so watch the levels. Of these summer car safety five hot tips, monitoring your battery health and coolant levels are prime concerns.
5. Wash More Regularly
Washing your car is always essential to prevent contaminants from damaging your bodywork. However, the heat accelerates this process in summer, so washing your vehicle more regularly is vital. It's wise to also invest in protective products like wax. Aesthetics are just as important to mention as car summer tips!
The Thing Almost All Drivers Forget…
Drivers are used to changing their tires between winter and summer depending on the season and climate. But did you know that the floor mats in the car also need to be changed depending on seasons? In summer, car floor mats made from rubber are liable to overheat and cause many issues. It's time to add mats to our essential car maintenance tips for summer.
So, what do you need for summer car mats, rubber or cloth? The honest answer might be neither; hold fire for our next section.
4 Reasons to Invest in All Weather Mats
All-weather mats made from EVA might be a better choice this summer. This material withstands temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius, is odorless, and is lighter than rubber when it needs a quick clean or shake out.
Let's see how it compares to standard rubber or carpet mats — the decision is up to you.
1. No Odor
Rubber mats heat up in high temperatures, especially in direct sunlight. Rubber contains volatile organic compounds, which are released when exposed to heat, resulting in a stinky, rubbery aroma.
In theory, carpets shouldn't smell. But in reality, with a slight spillage and no waterproof capacity, they tend to flaunt an odor after any decent-length drive. By reducing heat retention and retaining waterproof qualities, EVA mats release no odor. It's a wise investment if you want a more enjoyable driving experience
2. No Toxic Emissions
When heated, rubber can release toxic chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde. Inhaling these substances can be harmful to human health, especially if the driver is left in a closed interior for a long period of time.
Cutting rubber is one of the most essential summer car safety tips. And, of course, EVA material releases zero emissions.
3. No Warping
Rubber floor mats are not meant for summer. They soften and become pliable at high temperatures, causing warping. This not only makes them difficult to secure in place, but it also risks them slipping under the driver's or passengers' feet.
Rubber mats aren't made for summer, yet equally, fabric mats aren't suited to outdoor summer adventures. The lifespan is much shorter, and without waterproofing, they damage quickly with sand, mud, and dampness. EVA is an optimal choice, staying safely in place and offering year-round protection.
4. Better Protection
Speaking of protection, like conventional car tires, rubber floor mats crack over time when exposed to heat and allow moisture to penetrate the interior. The slight edge rubber has over carpet mats is lost when it no longer stops liquids and grime from passing through.
Investing in an EVA mat for car floors is easily one of the most vital summer car care tips.
