How to care for your vehicles in extreme heat

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — As the hot summer weather continues, local mechanics are encouraging the public to pay extra attention to their vehicles.

Midas gave advice for how the public should respond to increasing hot weather.

“Keep your car maintenanced. Keep your fluid levels checked, oil changed, coolant will evaporate in this extreme heat… Tires. Your tire pressure will vary. It will actually go up one pound for every ten degrees of Fahrenheit,” Midas service writer Michael Friscia said.

Various car components are being affected due to extreme temperatures.

“It seems like the three main systems that are being affected are the cooling system, which is your Antifreeze. Batteries are number two, big priority… They can lose acid and you can see the batteries not starting quickly. Then the third is tires,” Angela Scalla-Johnson said.

The heat can actually evaporate oil out of tires. Any tire over five years old is recommended to be replaced.

Double check your vehicle and make sure to be aware of tire pressures as well as cooling components. 

“Keep in mind with the extreme heat that the Sun beating off your windshield can actually make the inside of your car a whole lot hotter than it is outside. And I’m talking 20 to 30 degrees hotter, which is a dangerous level,” Friscia said.

Mechanics encourage individuals to be cautious of hotter temperatures in cars, especially with children. 

A top priority when dealing with the heat is to check your car regularly.

“You need to find someone you trust and let them help you out. Cars are getting more and more complicated, so let somebody be there for you.”

Expanding on that, there is also a new type of Freon air conditioning that mechanics encourage drivers to get professional help with. 

Midas encourages drivers to be more aware of their vehicles and what they can do to keep them updated.

For more information on how to take care of your vehicle, visit Midas online or in-person.