As a driver, one of the main fears you might have during the summer is an overheated engine. Luckily, you can conquer that fear by properly maintaining your car and ensuring it’s all caught up on auto maintenance. Here are a few auto repair tips to protect your car’s engine from summer’s extreme temperatures.

How to Keep Your Car’s Engine Safe From the Summer Heat

1. Check the Cooling System

The cooling system is different than the air conditioning system and requires separate maintenance. While the AC is responsible for creating a comfortable cabin temperature, the cooling system prevents the engine from overheating. The belts should be inspected by a professional for signs of damage, and the antifreeze and coolant should also be emptied and refilled as frequently as your owners manual recommends.

2. Refill Fluids

In addition to coolant and antifreeze, the oil, transmission, brake, and power steering fluids should all be topped off. Each of these liquids has an essential task when it comes to protecting your engine from the heat. For example, fresh oil enables the engine to perform at its optimal level, minimizing its chances of overheating. This is why it’s important to bring your vehicle to an auto repair shop for scheduled maintenance, particularly during the summer when the engine uses more fluid to work in the hot weather.

3. Test the Battery

Extreme heat is just as harmful to a car’s battery as the cold, so have the battery tested by an auto mechanic this summer. Hot temperatures cause the fluid within the battery to evaporate, which leads to corrosion and failure. If you use the air conditioning or other auto accessories often, the battery should be tested more frequently since this causes additional stress. 

4. Service the Air Conditioning

During the winter when the AC wasn’t in use, it could have developed mold and mildew that can damage the engine and cause allergies. As a result, the system should be looked at and flushed out by an auto repair professional. An efficient AC system also keeps you feeling alert and comfortable on the road, which decreases the likelihood you’ll get into an accident.

To prevent an overheated engine and other car problems this summer, bring your vehicle to Kettering-Oakwood Automotive in Dayton, OH. Their friendly and experienced team offers a number of auto repair services for cars and trucks, including an oil change, engine repair, and AC inspection. Give them a call at (937) 299-2468 to schedule an appointment, or visit their website to read reviews from previous customers.