The summer heat can impact your vehicle in so many different ways.

The effects that winter has on our vehicles are widely talked about, but not many people realize that summer can have just as serious of impacts as winter can. In order to learn how to protect your vehicle from the heat, you have to learn how the heat can impact your vehicle. That’s why the professionals at Flex Technologies have come up with this list of the many ways that summer affects your vehicle:

#1. Battery

The battery in your vehicle contains both acid and water, and as the temperature warms up, it was cause the water in the battery to start evaporating. This leaves the lead plates in the battery exposed. And, since people typically take longer car trips in the summer, the battery is subject to higher than average vibration, which can also shorten the life of your battery.

#2. Tires

The air pressure in your tires will change when the temperature does, whether it’s getting warmer or colder out. It’s important to check the pressure in your tires on a regular basis. Additionally, the heat can damage the rubber in your tires, particularly if they aren’t inflated properly. Heat can also cause your tires to dry out, increasing your risk for a blowout.

#3. Cooling System

Your vehicle’s cooling system is what prevents your vehicle from overheating, and the summer can be hard on it. Running the air conditioner in your vehicle all summer puts extra stress on your cooling system. Furthermore, if coolant levels are too low, it can cause your engine to overheat. Make it a point to keep a close eye on your cooling system over the summer, including the coolant levels and radiator hoses.

#4. Oil

It’s essential to watch your vehicle’s oil levels closely in the summer. When your vehicle is hot, it needs as much oil as it can get to keep all of the parts working smoothly. And, because the summer often means driving around more and taking longer road trips, it also means that you’ll need to watch your oil levels more closely and get the oil changed more frequently.

#5. Belts

The heat adds extra stress to many different parts in your vehicle, including the belts. The serpentine belt controls everything from the power steering and air conditioning compressor to the water pump and alternator. In the summer, the serpentine belt is at a much higher risk for failure from the heat, and a broken serpentine belt can cause all kinds of issues, including an overheating engine.

#6. Air Conditioner

You rely a lot more on your air conditioner over the summer, and as we mentioned before, this can add extra stress to your vehicle’s cooling system. One great way to ensure that your air conditioner is working as efficiently as possible is to replace the cabin air filter. You should also clean out any clogged vents, watch out for leaks and examine all belts in order to catch small problems before they can turn into big, expensive ones.

Protect your vehicle this summer with silicone coolant hoses.

At Flex Technologies, we manufacture high-quality silicone coolant hoses. And, while we can’t help to protect your vehicle’s tires or battery this summer, we can help to prevent coolant leaks because our incredible hoses stand up much better to heat than the traditional rubber hoses that come standard in most vehicles. If you’re interested in upgrading your vehicle with silicone coolant hoses, shop with us online today! And, if you don’t find the right option for your vehicle, please feel free to contact us about our custom silicone coolant hoses!